OBSTACLES TO CONTEND WITH. 55 



discover the least downward tendency in the system. 

 The hands should be frequently placed on the pulse, 

 and passed down the legs to see how the constitution 

 is standing the rough usage— for rough usage it must 

 be, or training has never been entered on. There 

 are, however, such a number of obstacles thrown in 

 the trainer's path, when ' sending a horse along,' 

 that it would be an almost hopeless task to recount 

 them. Suffice it to say, however, that during extremes 

 in the state of the ground — whether very wet or very 

 dry — fast work cannot be pursued with advantage. 

 In the former case, a bad over-reach or strain in the 

 hocks and hind limbs, together with a severe over- 

 reach in the fore joints ; in the latter a breakdown, 

 strain of the muscles of the shoulder, or inflammation of 

 the knees, fetlock joints, lamina? of the feet, &c, 

 may be expected; therefore, the state of the ground 

 should be carefully considered before galloping at any 

 pace, or absolute stoppage in work may be the result. 



It is far better to allow a horse to get fleshy, and 

 stick to walking exercise, than terminate his existence 

 by impatient and unwise treatment. I must own that, 

 in handling this subject, I feel that so little can prudently 

 be laid down, further than general principles, that any 

 direct rules, which I may consider adapted to nine 

 horses out of ten, would lead only to a mischievous 

 routine in treatment, which would entirely defeat my 

 object. 



First, then, the objects of quick work are twofold : 

 to exercise and strengthen the organs of respiration, 



