228 TRAINING AND RACING. 



way they look and carry themselves after running. I 

 have frequently remarked that, the well-known Arab 

 galloway Caliph very seldom on the day of a race re- 

 quired a setting muzzle, for he would, of his own accord, 

 neither touch his hay, nor his bedding, and only just 

 wet his lips in the morning, though he would take his 

 allowance of corn all right. I believe the Arab Sun- 

 beam had the same peculiarity. It may be asked how 

 they knew they had to run on some particular day ? 

 Very easily, I should say, from the fixed routine they 

 had been accustomed to at previous meetings such as 

 being plated, having their manes plaited, having a slack 

 day on the previous one after several days of fast work, 

 &c. while the appearance of the race-course showed 

 plain enough, that races were about to come off. 



Most platers, on coming on the track of a race-course 

 for the first time, will plainly show that they recognise 

 it as such. Then again, how many old race-horses 

 know when to make their effort on nearing the winning 

 post, though some of them would probably shut up were 

 they called upon earlier by their jockeys. How well a 

 horse knows whether his rider has spurs on or not. 

 Some will be as sluggish as a cow if they are absent, 

 though were the Latchfords ou, they would be all life, 

 even without being touched. Others will refuse to try if 

 they get the slightest prick, and, even when the jockey 

 is without spurs, they will require a few kicks in the ribs, 

 just to show no punishment is meant, before they will 

 consent to go kindly. 



There is always a difficulty about riding boys in this 

 country. In England, stable lads can either ride, or are 



