74 BREAKING. 
I may aptly conclude this chapter by describing the treat- 
ment of the yearlings in the paddock adopted by the late Sir 
Tatton Sykes. Not a few amongst my readers will have 
pleasing recollections of strolls with the lamented owner 
round the Sledmere paddocks. There, were to be seen in 
each capacious and well-divided inclosure, some twenty or 
thirty yearlings disporting themselves in the best of pastures 
many acres in extent; the colts and fillies judiciously and 
timely separated, whilst the foals with their dams evidenced 
by their gambols their absolute freedom. 
Here, it may be said literally, the yearlings knew no 
restraint from the day they were foaled until taken to 
the place of sale. The best of corn grown on the estate, 
and hay from the surrounding pastures, given in the man- 
gers running the whole length of the sheds, was the chief, 
if not the only forage supplied to the yearlings. These 
sheds are the sole protection against the weather, except in 
severe frost, when exercise would be dangerous. On no other 
occasions are they kept in the stables, I believe, a single day, 
except fora short time before the day of sale, to accustom 
them to a little restraint before being led out. There can 
be no method equal to this, to my mind, in which to rear 
thoroughbred stock. Some of the results of it, in my own 
experience as a buyer, will be given when I treat of the 
purchase of yearlings. 
