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breaking school, strictly supervised and managed by a competent man, who should have well-instructed horsemen under him.
Young horses are not got into condition by stuffing them with oats, nor broken in by giving them lots of exercise and quickening their paces.
When the horse is between three and four,[1] he leaves his breeder and is put into a stable. I beg my readers to note the progressive conditions of the following programme, which I propose, for feeding and work during the first three months.
FIRST MONTH.
First fortnight. Six litres (5¼ quarts) of oats a day,[2] 2 in the morning, 2 at noon, and 2 in the evening. Leading by the hand for an hour in the school, or better still, in the open, if the weather is fine.
Second fortnight. Seven litres (6 quarts) of oats ; 2 in the morning, 2 at noon, and 3 in the evening. The same leading by hand.
Lunge the horses for five minutes daily, half at the walk, and half at a slow trot.
SECOND MONTH.
First fortnight. Eight litres (7 quarts) of oats ; 2 in the morning, 3 at noon, and 3 in the evening.
Colts ought to be cut at least six months before any work ; at two-and-a-half years at latest. Horses which are ridden too soon after the operation always become weak in the loins, and exhibit a characteristic rocking of the croup. ↩︎
I take for granted that the animal has never eaten oats. If he has been fed on oats, he can get at first, 8 litres (7 quarts) ; 2 in the morning, 3 at noon, and 3 in the evening.
When I speak of oats, I mean French oats, and not that horrible stuff which is given even now in the army, under the name of white Russian oats. ↩︎