DIRECTIONS FOR FEEDING AND FITTING A HORSE.
1. To Raise a Trotter so that He will Last a Long Time.—A horse that is going to display great excellence as a trotter will not attain his speed at four years, nor at five, but will reach his highest excellence when the well-bred horse of seven years has been long gone from the turf. Nothing in nature, soon matured, lasts long.
In fitting a running horse, the case is different, as his constitution is not the same; the colts of blooded horses are inclined to mature earlier than any others, and, being of leaner and wiry build, they can stand more feed at an early period than a lower-bred horse.
There are good reasons, which I fully endorse, for not feeding growing colts much grain. If the colt is weaned, I would recommend from one to two quarts per day, varying the quantity according to his size, as one with a large, loose frame will require more than a close-built colt, which keeps in good order and fills out as he grows up. Good pasturage, however, is the main requisite. Give no corn to colts while they are young. Late in the fall give your colt all the hay he can eat, and be careful to have his oats clean and of good quality. When his first winter comes, let the colt have a good place to run, and be well-housed at night. Never turn such colts out with old horses, calves and heifers; should you do so, you may expect a shivering, scrawny colt, scarcely able to put one leg before the other; while, by avoiding this error, your colt will be as gay and frisky as when standing by its mother.
When weaning, a warm bran-mash, now and then, with a few oats mixed in, will be beneficial; it will do the whole system good, and improve digestion. Give colts and horses all the water they can drink, but do not give it often. Never give a colt physic unless it is sick; to prevent sickness, diet when symptoms of indisposition appear.
Yearling colts should have three quarts of oats per day; their other food must be abundant and good. When two years old in the spring, give four quarts of oats per day; when three years old give six quarts, and when four years old give eight quarts daily.
2. To Mouth and Bit a Colt.—The bitting must not be continued long at a time, from five to twenty minutes is sufficient, great care must be observed not to overdo the colt as short lessons, often repeated, make a better impression and are more lasting. When the colt becomes fatigued his temper will begin to rise, and I am satisfied that two-thirds of horses viciously inclined are made so by improper handling when young. In handling a two-year-old trotter the utmost care, as well as gentleness and firmness, must be exercised. It was not customary, in former times, to handle colts until they were four years old, but later experience has shown the advantages of beginning at an earlier age. A colt can be taught at two years old, and be made to trot at three if the handling is properly done. But a danger to be especially guarded against is the impatience of the owner who, when he finds that the young colt can trot a little, always desires to see him do it more or a little faster. If he pushes the colt in such a way he will soon have one that will do nothing. The only proper and safe way is to proceed gradually, but continually; the colt should be kept at it gently, so as to retain all he learns, which he will do if he is not forced off his feet.
Then break him to ride; mount and dismount, but do not straddle him till he gets accustomed to your getting off and on; then ride him for a few moments, but not so long that he will get leg-weary. I recommend less walking for trotters than was formerly employed.
3. To Educate Him for the Road.—In doing this the skeleton is preferable, to keep the weight off his back. Take your horse to some track; if there is none, then upon the road; do not speed him along at the same rate; but in short “spurts,” when he will extend himself without injury. If he seems tired, let him up a little. You must watch for such indications, as this is a critical time in the education of your horse. This jogging should not exceed from two to four miles a day, with “spurts” of not over a quarter of a mile. You should carefully ascertain whether or not he improves, as at this age his improvement should be constant. Perhaps, at this time, you may see him break his gait, showing that he has had too much work for his age and has become sore. Then suspend your driving and when he gets well apply my trotting rig as shown in the engraving. The colt then, finding something on his mouth and legs to keep him steady, will alter his way of going. Though he is to be taught to go without being pulled hard, it should still be remembered that the colt or horse will often want to get his head down and feel the bit. The driver should then support him, with as little pull as possible, yet enough to accomplish that purpose; the horse with good mouth will always feel the driver’s hand.