RIDING — ENTERING FOR A RACE. 201 



down all at once, but always give a gentle canter 

 every other day, for the first fortnight, gradu- 

 ally reducing the grain ; and if after that time 

 you deem physic necessary, give the alterative 

 drenches, p. 100, without any calomel at night.* 



riding; ENTERING FOR A RACE; AND REQUITING 

 A QUERULOUS VISITOR. 



Riding a race is as different from all other 

 riding as a Scotch salmon is from all other fish ; 

 and as many aspirants for a silver cup, unable to 

 afford racing establishments, both train and jockey 

 their own steeds, let me advise you not to give 

 up your own natural-formed seat for one you 

 have never tried before. Do not stick your back 



* On a visit to a racing-stable, at half-past ten at night, 

 containing four horses in training, I was introduced to the fol- 

 lowing stable-management. The first horse had heel-ropes on, 

 and those so tight that they prevented him lying down. The 

 second, a large and gross feeder, had the muzzle off — if a little 

 hard piece of leather with circumference scarce sufficient for a 

 dog's mouth can be termed a muzzle — fortunate, therefore, it 

 was off, for the animal would have been stifled by morning. 

 The third was half-strangled, from the tightness of the neck- 

 strap of the head-stall. The fourth was smothering under two 

 heavy jhools, and purging away from over-feeding ; yet the old, 

 careless griffin of a master had been successful the year before. 

 Who shall despair to win after this ? 



