276 HANDLING AND MANAGING TROTTERS. 



tion. There is no real development of speed in jogging, but it 

 is a simple preparatory service for the exhibition of speed. 



At the commer cement of the season if your horse is too 

 fleshy as well as soft, the best way to relieve bim of this super- 

 abundance of flesh is by the natural way of working it off, and 

 not by sweat-blankets and hoods. I have but little use for 

 either of them. Some horses will require much more work 

 than others to accomplish this, but usually the more work the 

 better horse ; after you have got your horse in a good driving 

 trim, with flesh of a hard variety, then, and not until then, he 

 should be given the greater portion of his work in hard brushes, 

 as fast as possible. 



The principle of work for colts and mature horses is the 

 same. To prepare a green horse for fast work, give plenty of 

 exercise, careful grooming, and judicious feeding. Always in 

 your work-outs work well within your horse's limits, and not 

 overwork or over-tire and discourage him. With the fast mile 

 and repeat business, as often practiced, your horse cannot but 

 lose his speed to a great degree. On the day of the race you 

 will want all the speed that you can command, and you should 

 husband it well for that very purpose, as herein lies the suc- 

 cess of all your past efforts. 



Remember in training for races that " speed makes game- 

 ness." The horse going within his limit will always outlast the 

 one required to do his very best from wire to wire. In prepar- 

 ing for the race you will soon learn to judge when the horse 

 has had sufficient exercise, as he will show it by acting tired 

 and losing his eagerness to go. At the first sign of this he 

 should be taken to the stable. 



Care of the mouth in training is an important thing. See 

 that it does not get sore, that the bit is not hurting it ; and en- 

 deavor, if possible, to keep it in its natural, sensitive, and easy 

 state ; very much depends on the condition of a horse's mouth 

 at the time he is to enter a great race. 



The best drivers are those who so skillfully handle the reins 

 that the horse is not only steadied in his work, but also receives 



