St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-07-05
TRAINING OF RUNNERS.
S~shod Of Putting . Colt In shape Sos
Racing PueuOscs

oes"oo ot Putting . Colt In Shape fol
Racing Purposes.
"Will you tell me something Of the
method used in training the young
horses?"
MI. McCabe settled back in his com.
portable armchair, and, looking up to
tife ceiling, paused for . few moments.
Ihe training of . horse is simple
thing in one way, as far as the manual
labor goes. and might he easy enough 70
explain. But the different tempera-
ments OF the horses in hand form the
real basis or foundation upon which the
rest Is done. that would Be hard to ex.
plain. just as it would be hard for . man
to explain the different phases Of hu.
man nature. To begin with, Mr..
Dwyer usually goes down TO
Kentucky in May when they want
to purchase new stock. There the
colts which have been born in early
spring are looked over and such pur.
chases made as arc desired. They arc
left there to feed upon the bluegrass
until the latter part of August, when
they are brought up here to the stable,
and, after becoming used to the change.
the work of breaking them is begun.
When they become accustomed to their
keepers and the surroundings Of the sta
Die, saddle is put upon their backs
while in the stall and allowed to remain
there until they get thoroughly used to
It. Then they are given the bride,
which it takes them some time to get
used to. When matters have gone thus
far. the colt has learned that he il NOT
to be harmed in any way, and BY con.
slant kindness in treatment soon
comes to know what Is wanted
OF him. and is in nearly every
case gentle under the training.
Now that he has become used to
the bit and saddle, he is led about the
track by an attendant day after day un.
til the time comes for mounting. Then
boy is put upon his back and he 10
ready for moro advanced exercise. He
Is first walked over tho track, then
trotted and afterward galloped. the pace
gradually being increased as he shows
strength and power to take it. The first
real run of the foal is . three-eights
SeAS"~As oAAN euCu COiuC AOC0 Va MS SVcCO
may be gained. Like every thing else,
his temper and work will greatly de-
pend upon the early training. and /
have found it an unswerving rule that
gentieness in this work is bound to
lring out all the best traits OF the
animals nature, and for kind and
gentle attendant he. will do his utmost
upon the track"
"Are horses subject to any special
treatment before entering = race"
''Yes. to . certain extent In many
cases, IS have already said, they are
intensely nervous and lose their appe-
tites. This. 10 delicate and highly
strung animal, is not conducive to the
best results on the track. They are
aieted or drawn as it is called. but not
50 much now as of old. Years back the
runner on the day before . race was
given but very little to eat and only .
sip of water, but at the present time
they are allowed to have plenty Of water
aud . moderate amount of feed. A
strong. robust horse will often eat all |
the time, but in such cases the amount |
Of food given is closely regulated accord |
ing to his actual needs. So you see the |
of the racer is business which |
requires vast amount Of patience and |
care. Trainer McCabe, in Brooklyn |
Eagle. .ts