PHYSICKING. 193 



have for physicking a month or so before the 

 races, not because the horse is, but because they 

 are afraid of his becoming too plethoric, is the 

 cause of many overthrows and breaks -down. 

 Whatever arguments you may hear to the con- 

 trary, this is not the time for preventive physic. 

 The giving daily laxatives also at this stage, and 

 that without a sufficiency of bran mashes, is not 

 only equally censurable, but dangerous and bad, 

 fatal gripes often coming on just when the 

 physic might have been expected to operate.* 

 A craving, large barreled, deep ribbed, strong 

 horse, and that has to run a long race, may 

 sometimes need a couple of doses of purgative 

 physic, besides sweats, during a four months' 

 training, in order to prevent him growing stale 

 in his body, or round in his legs; but a slight, 

 hot, irritable, or weakly one, is not to have 

 every fibre pulled to pieces by drastic physic, 

 even if he does throw up flesh too quickly: 

 three of the alterative balls, p. 101, one every 

 other day, with a couple of gentle sweats, a 

 week between each, will suit much better; and 

 he will then come to the post in better order, 

 and run under greater advantage than if more 



* It is incredible what extraordinary things some persons do 

 in training, which had I not witnessed;, I should not have 

 thought of mentioning them. 







