34 CARE AND TRAINING OP TROTTERS, 



Before proceeding with an explanation of the 

 brush system, the opportunity here presents itself 

 to mention a few hints about the hitching and 

 driving of a colt for speed work. 



Pulling. 



"No foot, no horse" is an old and true axiom, 

 but. "no mouth, no horse" is just as true. Great 

 care should be exercised not to spoil a colt's 

 mouth. Do not teach a colt to "pull," by "taking 

 too strong a hold" on the reins. Drive with a 

 light hand. Hold the reins just tight enough to 

 "steady" the colt in his gait and to prevent stum- 

 bling or swerving. (It will be understood that 

 these remarks refer to colts just being broken. 

 An old-time confirmed puller cannot be driven 

 with a loose line, unless one is lucky enough "to 

 break him" of the habit. — Ed.) If you take too 

 strong a hold the colt will "fight the bit," or "lug," 

 or become unbalanced in gait or acquire a bad 

 temper. 



The habit of pulling is sometimes caused by 

 checking the colt too high. Many successful 

 trainers do not use a check until the colt has had 

 several weeks of speed work. When the check is 

 put on let it hang a trifle loose at first, adjustment 

 can be made later as experience demands. If the 

 colt starts to pull when you jog him, bring hini 

 to a walk. Then start him up again slowly. Re- 

 peat this till he learns to jog without pulling. 



