218 TRAINING AND RACING. 



regular gallops, is but the too frequent cause of strains 

 and breakdowns. 



The work we shall now consider, is that which I 

 think suitable for an ordinary Waler. An Arab's gallop 

 should be quite a quarter as long again. With him one 

 may leave out the short "spurts;" while long slow 

 gallops for two and-a-half or three miles may be substi- 

 tuted in their place. In timing, allowance should be 

 made for the fact of the Arab's comparative slowness. 

 Thus, for instance, a second class Arab that could do 

 at weight for age a mile in 1m. 57s., i.e., say 7s. worse 

 than a second class Waler, ought in a gallop, at con- 

 ventional half speed over that distance, to take about 

 12s. longer, than would the Waler under similar condi- 

 tions : for, of course, the difference of time between the 

 two, at half speed, would be nearly double that between 

 them when fully extended, the distance being the same 

 in both cases. 



It is not without considerable hesitation that I 

 give illustrative timing, for I know well what a large 

 margin must be allowed under varying conditions 

 dependant on the style of horse, the weight he carries, 

 and the state of the galloping track ; and I crave the 

 indulgence of the reader in the attempt, which I make, 

 to furnish, to the best of my ability, inexperienced 

 amateur trainers, who are unable to obtain practical 

 assistance, with a sound general idea of the nature of the 

 work required to bring an ordinary race-horse in India 

 fit to the starting post. 



The first preparation of two months should com- 

 mence with slow canters, which may gradually be 



