CHAPTER VI.

OUTDOOR WORK.

From the moment the horse will go straight ahead outdoor work is in some cases a necessity and in all cases to a greater or less extent desirable.

Horses which tend to get behind the bit or which do not let themselves out should frequently have outside work alternated with hall work. The horse being gradually educated to a good free trot should be given them outdoors, allowing time enough between trots for the horse to assume normal breathing. Outdoor work should take place with normal horses two days a week.

All horses need fresh outdoor air occasionally.

Horses that are inclined to bolt or forge ahead continually, or those that throw most of the weight on the forehand, need much more hall work than outdoor work.

Young horses especially should be given trots on soft ground. No horse should be galloped on hard roads. Soft ground means turf or dirt roads, not plowed land or stone-built roads. The gallop is undertaken outdoors only when the horse can be made to lead from either foot.

By going in pairs nervous horses do not fret while outdoors, as much as though alone. It is likewise better not to maintain a formation in ranks while outdoors, any more than necessary, in order to prevent the new horses from acquiring the habit of going in ranks and refusing to leave.

During the last part of outdoor exercise the horse should be walked so that he is returned to the stable breathing normally.