68 In a Bacing Stable. 



We went into one loose-box after another, most of wliich 

 formed a separate stable, consisting of a square room, with 

 small sky-lights in the roof, a ventilator, but no side 

 windows. And the same sight met the eye in each of one 

 boy and a horse in solitary confinement iiro tern., the boy 

 cleaning his horse after exercise. Every horse seemed to 

 know the trainer directly he spoke, and many of them put 

 their heads on his shoulder and fondled him, though a few 

 of the " softer sex " welcomed him by putting back their 

 ears and pretending to lash out with their hind feet. This 

 was only ladies' chaff. I could quite understand the secret 

 of success which my guide imparted to me, which is ex- 

 cessive gentleness and kindness from the time a colt is first 

 taken up for breaking ; and he told me that if a horse is 

 ever bad-tempered or vicious, it is, as a rule, the fault of 

 the boy. 



Reverting to the question of order. Everything is done 

 under the master's eye, and if a headstall is on the wrong 

 nail, or a comb out of place, it is sure to be observed in a 

 moment, and the boy using it will be reminded — if an old 

 offender with a sharp reproof. But one of the most striking 

 features in training is the wonderful memory which the 

 manager must have. It is clear that he has the whole of 

 the stable on his mind, and remembers every ailment, or 

 threatened ailment, of every horse, and remembers also the 

 treatment -which he ordered the day before, and, without 

 written nobss or memoranda, inquires the result of yester- 

 day's treatment, and gives new directions. 



No wonder that training is anxious work, as at any 

 moment a horse may tread on some rough substance, no 

 matter how carefully the course is kept, or put his feet in 

 a hole, or suddenly sprain himself, and the success of 

 months of training may be jeopardised by an accident, the 

 result of which cannot be known for a day or two perhaps. 



