Training for a Steeplechase. 573 



It might also be fitted to a rearing-ring bit, which might thus be used in hunting, as it has 

 the shifting powers of the running martingale without interfering with either rein, and all the 

 power of the standing martingale without the defect of rigidity. 



TRAINING AND RIDING A STEERLECHASER. 



For the benefit of colonists and military men seeking some relaxation in regions 



" Remote and savage, melancholy, slow," 



the following information has been condensed from the quoted work of a distinguished amateur 

 steeplechaser. 



In the following instructions it is presumed that the horse to be trained is full five 

 years old. 



" The object of training is to get rid of all superfluous fat and flesh, and to accustom 

 the muscles to the greatest possible amount of exertion. If a horse is fat and fresh from grass 

 a great deal more time will be required than if he is in ordinary hard-riding condition. The 

 character of the animal must be studied ; some horses require scarcely any physic, and would 

 be thrown out of, instead of into, condition by it ; others require a great deal. Some require 

 to be sweated once a week, others will carry no muscle if sweated more than once a month. 

 With many grooms the only idea of training is physicking and galloping a horse furiously in 

 fair condition until he is a spiritless bag of bones. 



" If the horse is stale from over-work he must be rested before being trained ; if he 

 is in ill-health he must first be made well; in fact, if he is not in rude health he is not fit 

 to be trained. 



" The first step is to keep your horse walking on turf or soft ground for at least four 

 hours every day, divided into two periods of two hours each. His food should be three 

 quarterns of moist bran, three quarterns of old oats, and about eight pounds of prime old hay. 

 If you find his legs filling and heels tender, as you probably will at the end of a week, re- 

 duce his exercise to one hour's walking for two days, stop corn and hay, give linseed and 

 bran mashes instead, and on the second day muzzle him at night. In the morning give him 

 as much water as he will drink, and a mild dose of physic (see veterinary information). 



" Immediately after the administration of a ball two hours' walking exercise should be 

 given, with as much water, not too cold, as the horse will drink, and a loose bran mash, and 

 he may be shut up and left quiet until the next morning. If by that time no symptoms of 

 purging are apparent he should be taken for a walk in a field close to the stable, so that he 

 may be brought in again as soon as purgation commences. If chilly an extra rug should be 

 thrown over him, for the action of the physic is to cause a determination oj the secretiotts frotn 

 the skin to the intestines. Consequently, the less a horse's coat is brushed during the action 

 of the physic the better. The purging must be continued until the excrement cease to be 

 foetid, and during that time bran and linseed mashes must be continued. 



"After this preparation give four quarterns of oats, only six pounds of hay, and recom- 

 mence walking two hours morning and evening. When you have hardened your horse's muscles 

 by walking exercise, cleaned his skin by good grooming, and relieved his overloaded system 

 by physic and diet, he is fit for faster work. 



" The objects of quick work are twofold : to exercise and strengthen the organs of respi- 

 ration, and by degrees to accustom the muscles and tendons to bear the strain of fast galloping 

 and jumping. 



