422 LIFE WITH THE TEOTTEES. 



There are personally known to me several noted drivers, who 

 have no taste, desire or pride to handle a youngster. They 

 can not bear with them, and have no confidence they will not 

 cut up a " dido " at any time. It can be safely set down as 

 a rule that holds good in any land or clime, or under any 

 circumstances, "to do a thing well and' succeed in it," one 

 must have a desire and interest to accomplish the object in 

 view. 



Anyone who can not control his temper should never be 

 allowed to have anything to do with a colt. I do not mean 

 by this only the groom, but the driver-as well. Never allow 

 either of them to have charge of animals they will not devote 

 their time and attention to. The groom.and assistants should 

 be waiched closely, and when there are any indications that 

 they are petulant and cross, do not like their calling, and do 

 not become devoted to and proud of the animals under their 

 charge, their services should at once be dispensed with. 



It is ah object to have the foals come as early as possible 

 in the spring, always being governed by the climate where 

 you reside. The foals in this latitude are generally dropped 

 from the middle of April to June 1 and earlier than this 

 is not considered to be to their advantage. At that time the 

 young and tender grasses give the dams plenty of milk 

 and are soon learned to be cropped by the foal. In this 

 way a good start in life is effected, which is of great benefit, 

 for if the foal is stinted and does not thrive the chance for 

 early speed is lost. An unthrifty, weak colt will not make 

 a fast yearling, and the breeder needs wait another year to 

 get a smaller price for his two-year-old, than his promising 

 yearling, which had lost its chance by mismanagement. 

 Two weeks before the mare is supposed to be due to foal, 

 hav(; the man in charge keep a watchful eye on her, and as 

 the time draws near he must visit her often to assist in the 

 event of any mishap or to help the foal nurse in case it 

 comes weak or the mare is cross and mean. In this way the 

 mare and foal become attached to the man and you begin 

 to impress the colt from its earliest life that man is his 



