S42 MODERN FARRIER. 



would be better founded. It is more probable that 

 the difference in riding amongst different jockeys 

 may affect a horse more than a trifling addition of 

 weight; and it is well known that horses cannot 

 run so well upon some grounds as others. Some 

 horses can run well on a flat that can neither run up 

 nor down hill ; and these perliaps are circumstances 

 that require more attention in making a match, than 

 the consideration of a small difference in weight. 

 Besides, some horses, especially small light colts, 

 run faster at two years old than at any other period; 

 whilst others do not acquire their utmost power of 

 speed until three or four years old. 



A good judge on this subject expresses himself 

 thus : ' Neither the accustomed weights for the year, 

 nor the give and take weights, seem to me possible 

 to be accommodated to the nature of the case. As 

 examples, perhaps seven or eight pounds only will 

 be given, when the ability to carry weight is strik- 

 ingly different in the two horses : on the other hand, 

 in give and take weights, a horse of fourteen hands 

 will carry nine stone, and one of fifteen hands eleven. 

 Now, nature may have reversed this scheme com- 

 pletely, by having enabled the lowest horse to be 

 master of the greatest weight. Matching with dis- 

 cretionary weights, or weights for age and qualifica- 

 tions, seems susceptible of more accuracy ; and per- 

 haps it may be yet discovered, that much more 

 weiglit may be allowed on account of substance and 

 strength than has been hitherto supposed.' 



126. Matches against Time. 



Before treating of matches against time, it may 

 be amusing to notice a few instances of performances 

 that have been timed. The speed of Childers has 

 been before noticed. Eclipse was never timed ; but 

 it was judged, or perhaps some persons might look 

 at their watches on the occasion, that he ran four 



