298 THE HORSE 



little fatigue, that he may have any amount of exercise directly after it, to 

 which he is accustomed. In resorting to the bath at first the attempt was 

 made to save doubtful legs only, but the good effect was soon found to 

 extend beyond this, and in almost all cases where there would be any 

 necessity for sweats and clothing, the Turkish bath is adopted instead, by 

 those who have the means at their disposal. I shall, therefore, describe 

 each of these plans in detail. 



ORDINARY SWEATING 



WHEN THE OLD-FASHIONED SWEAT is intended to be given, and it is not 

 proposed to reduce any part in particular, it is usual to put on an old rug 

 next the skin, or, in large stables, a sheet kept expressly for the purpose, 

 and hence called a " sweater " ; then an old hood and breast-cloth, next a 

 second quarter piece is put on, and even a third in some cases, and lastly, 

 a complete set of clothing over all, the saddle, as usual, completing the 

 arrangement. If any special part is to be reduced, as, for instance, the 

 brisket or bosom, an extra cloth is folded like a shawl, and the ends being 

 crossed over the withers, it is kept in its place under the breast-cloth, by the 

 pressure of the saddle ; or a rug may be folded and placed round the chest, 

 without extending to the loins, in case the heart is supposed to be oppressed 

 with fat. All these points of detail will call upon the groom for an exercise 

 of ingenuity and tact, and if he possesses these qualities, he will have no 

 difficulty in placing his sweaters where they will be required. When they 

 are all securely fixed the horse is ridden out, and after walking for a short 

 time to empty himself, he is started off to go his sweat, which is generally 

 four miles, doing three-quarters of the distance at a slow pace, and then 

 being set going a little faster, and at last brought out to his top-speed, if 

 in full training, or nearly so if in his second preparation. By his top-speed, 

 however, is not to be understood the very outside pace which can be got 

 out of the horse, but only such a speed as is short of that by so much as 

 will preserve his stride in full vigour, and prevent that over-pacing which 

 leads to the rupture of muscular or tendinous structure. In his first 

 preparation he should seldom be extended, and it is better to increase the 

 distance rather than to accelerate the speed beyond the steady gallop ; but 

 few horses refuse to sweat at a slow pace in this stage of training. As soon 

 as he has finished the distance, the trainer examines his state, and either 

 directs him to be walked or trotted on to the rubbing place, which should 

 l>e a box set apart for the purpose, either on the training-ground or at the 

 usual stables ; or if the ground is at a distance from any available stable, 

 the shelter of a haystack or high hedge should be sought for. The full 

 benefit of the sweat is not obtained unless the fluid is scraped off before 

 it has had time to be re-absorbed, which is the result, if it is allowed to 

 remain on the skin after this has ceased to give out any fluid. Its vessels 

 in that case, instead of perspiring, adopt the opposite extreme, and appro- 

 priate the sweat by their own power of absorption ; thus doing away with 

 the chief benefit which was expected and desired from the sweat itself. 

 When the hand of the groom, applied to the shoulder of the horse under 

 his breast-cloth, tells him that the sweat is coming kindly, the horse may 



