LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 439 



nervous and not eat well. Do not be one of tliese fellows who 

 are always complaining that in some most unaccountable 

 way their horse is "dead off," vaguely hinting that there 

 must be something wrong, declaring "they'll never come 

 to this track again," and all for no reason except their own 

 neglect and inattention to business. Be sure you have a man 

 who will stay in the car all the time with the colt; if not you 

 had better go yourself. It is time and money well spent to 

 make the acquaintance of the engineer, which can readily 

 be done with a few good cigars, and a nice talk, politely 

 asking him if he will be careful in stopping and switching 

 the car as you have valuable stock going to the races. 

 When you get to your destination take time and unload 

 carefully; have no excitement and "hurrah boys" about 

 it. Get your baggage drawn out and have the colt led along 

 with the outfit. If you have several animals with you keep 

 them together and not strung out all along the route, fret- 

 ting and neighing because they are separated. Arriving at 

 the track, if you have not had a man in advance to fix up 

 the stall and have it ready, find the secretary who has as- 

 signed stalls for your entries, get the numbers, and if the 

 staUs are not thoroughly cleaned and fit to occupy, have it 

 done, and done well, being careful about nails, broken glass 

 and narrow doors. Get the colt in as soon as possible, have 

 his legs bandaged, have him brushed off, his feet washed, 

 and put him where he can smell of the other horses. Shut 

 him up and let him rest, for riding in a car is tiresome work 

 for a green colt. When evening comes walk him, give 

 him a little grass, and let the man in charge sleep in his 

 itall; the colt wiU rest better and be more contented. 



