TRAINING FOE SPEED. 237 



grown, they may be, it should be borne in mind that their 

 bones and muscles are soft and insufficient to bear the strain of 

 the same work given to those of more mature age. 



The question as to whether the early development of trot- 

 ting horses will have a tendency to impair "their endurance in 

 point of time, is one of great interest and importance. 



What I mean by early development in this case is of colts 

 not less than two or three years old, and not yearlings, for rea- 

 sons above given ; for in many cases which have come under 

 my observation, young things — mere babies — have been over- 

 worked, and when they begin to hitch and hobble, a good rest 

 and let up would do more to restore the stroke than anything 

 else. 



A colt will not attain his greatest excellence at three years 

 old, or at five either, if such excellence is to be very great or 

 lasting. There is nothing in nature that comes to maturity 

 early and lasts long; early maturity means early decay in 

 nineteen cases out of twenty. 



The temper and disposition of the prospective trotting colt 

 should be carefully watched, lest, by overwork, he becomes 

 cranky and careless as to pleasing his trainer or driver. 



Great care should be taken not to make his brushes of speed 

 too long, but alternate them with jogging and walking. Never 

 speed him more than thirty rods at first, perhaps less, all to be 

 governed by the circumstances of the case. Age, condition, 

 size, etc., of the colt is to be considered. 



Speed is acquired by fast and frequent brushes ; it is better 

 to underwork than to overwork the colt at first ; two short les- 

 sons are better than one long one. From two to four miles is 

 usually a sufficient " work out " for a young beginner. 



Measure off and work him eighths until he can trot them 

 fast before driving him fast for a quarter, much less a half- 

 mile, as is frequently done to his detriment. If he cannot trot 

 an eighth fast, he surely cannot trot a fast mile. 



Any green horse should be worked for speed on the same 



