66 JOCKEYSHIP. 



ness jump off with the lead, and keep it as long as you 

 can. 



3. If a horse pulls very hard, keep a steady pull on 

 him, but don't haul at his mouth, which will prevent all 

 regularity of respiration, as well as throw him out of 

 his stride and injure his temper. These sort of horses 

 should be calmed down gently; but this can only be 

 done at, or very nearly at, the top of their speed. 



4. Young and untried horses should never be allowed 

 to jump away from the starting post too quickly, since 

 they will only outrun or outpace themselves before 

 three-fourths of the distance has been covered ; neither 

 should they be allowed to make the pace severe until 

 fairly in their stride, when they must be sent along at 

 as fast a pace as they can possibly maintain. This 

 method will usually prevent their getting flurried and 

 nervous, which takes more steel out of a horse than is 

 generally supposed. 



5. When about seven-eighths of the distance has 

 been got over, unless a very expert hand at timing 

 your horse's powers, do not attempt to draw it very 

 fine ; but, getting on good terms with the leading 

 horses in the race and laying hold of your horse's 

 head, try and leave them, and ride him calmly but 

 resolutely home ; and, of all things, sit quite steady ; 

 if you find your horse straining every nerve, let him 

 alone ; but if running sluggishly, take tight hold of 

 the reins in your left hand, and taking a sharp pull at 

 the reins, give him a smart stroke with the whip and 

 two or three kicks with the spurs ; but if you have 



