434 LIFE WITH THE TKOTTEES. 



within himself, but with a resolute air, going the first quar- 

 ter slow, letting him out the second quarter, close up to his 

 clip. Continue this right along, but not always in the same 

 place on the track. Be careful not to have the colt learn to 

 speed in certain places on the track, but teach him that one 

 place is as much a speeding ground as another and that his 

 duty is to go when called upon. Keep the prompter a little 

 back, as a rule, but near enough to encourage the colt. If 

 the prompter is too fast or is allowed to go ahead too much, 

 it soon discourages the pujpil from doing his best. Recol- 

 lect that you are now training and do it with a will and 

 determination. When you speed push it with vigor, don't 

 go droning along — that doesn't amount to shucks. Be care- 

 ful to know just how far you drive, and if you have 

 not learned to carry your watch in hand all the time with- 

 out its being any bother or trouble, or so that you even think 

 of it (except when you want to look at it) you are at a 

 great disadvantage, for it is necessary to know how fast you 

 go, to put it down when you are through in a book kept for 

 that purpose, which will be a great help to you in training. 



If you are handling many horses, both old and young, 

 this book is convenient to refer to from day to day or from 

 week to week to learn what they have jjreviously done, and 

 under what circumstances, what weight of shoes used, in 

 fact noting all the changes, such as bits, boots, bearing- 

 reins, etc. You may be able to carry all this in your head, 

 if so all the better, and the book will verify it for you; sort 

 of double entry you know. 



How far to work a colt, I can not tell you anymore than I 

 can how big a lump of chalk is. Colts difEer in size, stam- 

 ina, disposition, and strength. Some have got to indulge 

 in a little foolishness before they are ready to do right — play 

 with the birds along the fence, or the shadows of the poles, 

 while others are strict business all the time. It is safe 

 enough to figure not to exceed four mUes with any colt and 

 not less than two and one-haU. With the proper care, such 

 as walking and turning out, colts do not need much jogging. 



