160 TRAINING. 



though of the most willing temper, will never 

 stand the training of the genuine blood. The 

 legs, likewise, sometimes swell during the day at 

 the commencement of training : this arises often 

 from debility, and more from the horse not 

 being ready for a good canter at all, than from the 

 exercise having been too severe for this stage. 

 Call, therefore, the first two to six months, ac- 

 cording to the time it may have taken you to 

 get into condition ; when you have accomplished 

 that, three to four more will be ample to carry 

 him up to the mark. 



A DAY S ROUTINE. 



Every morning, precisely at daybreak, your 

 trustworthy horsekeeper (if he does not merit 

 that appellation you had better change him, or 

 sleep in the stable yourself,) is to look quietly in 

 at the stall, to discover whether the horse is lying 



is, they generally take it into their heads to sulk the day of the 

 race, by which one would suppose the concourse of spectators 

 intimidated them, or perhaps reminded them that this is the 

 day of whip and spur. Gelding will sometimes cure sulkiness, 

 though there should be nothing wTong with the testicles ; and 

 I should be inclined to risk that operation to backing an un- 

 certain horse. 



