170 TRAINING. 



should be above his work ; if there is an ex- 

 ception, it is where there are fine, broad, flat 

 limbs, added to a well-formed barrel, and the 

 horse a little sluggish or vicious, then an extra 

 gallop may be taken out of him with impunity, 

 and often with advantage. But the weak points 

 must always be the guiding mark : for instance, 

 when there is a fine round barrel and well ribbed 

 home, yet slight or rather tied-in legs, the latter 

 must be the guiding mark as to the quantity 

 of exercise ; but when the carcase is too small, 

 or flat-sided, with a long hollow flank, — ^making, 

 perhaps, a rather washy horse — yet the limbs 

 strong, the former must be the guiding mark. 



TRIALS. 



Towards the end of the second month it will 

 be advisable to take a few trials, that you may 

 be able to judge if he is likely to be qualified 

 for the race you wish. Try a mile and a half 

 with eight stone four pounds, and three days 

 after, the same distance with ten stone, if he 

 is to run for a welter. After an interval of 

 another three days, try two miles and a half 

 with eight stone four pounds, and after three 

 days more, the same distance with the eight 



