THE SHOW HORSE 93 



some of the tonic powders and special foods 

 may be used with considerable benefit. There 

 are several good things of this kind on the market, 

 and I have used Day Son & Hewitt's Red Con- 

 dition Powders, and Molassine with good effect. 

 Sir F. Fitzwygram recommends for a delicate 

 feeder a small quantity of powdered ginger 

 or any other cheap aromatic spice mixed with 

 the ordinary food. He points out that these 

 spices are apt to assist digestion and conse- 

 quently promote appetite, but he insists that all 

 such '' artificial aids to digestion should be 

 discontinued as soon as the system recovers 

 tone.'^ 



Much of the work given to show horses 

 should be slow — a walk or a slow trot — but it 

 is necessary to ''put them through their paces," 

 and a short lesson every day, taking care that 

 whatever is attempted is well done, and not 

 doing too much at a time, is the best means 

 to adopt. The best time for these lessons is 

 at the afternoon exercise ; the horse will have 

 been somewhat sobered by his morning's work, 

 and will be more likely to learn what is wanted 

 of him. 



If it be possible this part of a show horse's 

 education should take place under conditions 

 as nearly like those which will be found on a 

 show ground as possible. It is an easy matter, 

 under most circumstances to make a ring in 

 a grass field if there is not a spacious Riding 

 School available. Nothing is of more import- 



