46 . . CONDITION. 



Now theory, the only guide that persons not intimately 

 conversant with the stable have, which runs so glibly and seems 

 so simple, is found utterly untenable when brought to the 

 touchstone of practice. To my mind, condition is one of the 

 most difficult problems ; one that, however great the genius 

 of persons differently employed, can only be solved by the 

 experienced trainer. There are many gentlemen, owners of 

 horses, most excellent judges of shape, make, and breed, equal 

 in this respect to any trainer ; I may go further and say better 

 than many, but on condition, " they are at sea," and their 

 opinion not of much value. Nor indeed can anything else 

 be expected. They have not the opportunity afforded them 

 of forming a correct idea, and cannot give one : whereas the 

 trainer sees the horses under his charge daily, and knows 

 the work each does, and how he does it ; whether progress- 

 ing towards or receding from the desired object, which should 

 ultimately culminate in fitness to run. But the owner can 

 know nothing of his horse's every-day performance at exercise, 

 or whether he eats little or much. The utmost extent of his 

 information is limited to seeing a gallop or two, or may-be 

 a trial — the latter sometimes is a test of condition, but not 

 always ; for many are tried thoroughly unfit, and the result is 

 misleading, rather than a clue to the animal's real merits. 



It is patent, therefore, that they can know little, if anything, 

 about the material points, and that on such insufficient tests 

 a trustworthy decision cannot reasonably be expected. And 

 if owners of racehorses, with such advantages as they do 

 possess, are often so lamentably mistaken, what must be the 

 value of the dogmatic and oracular opinion of the uninformed 

 public ? I think the general verdict must be mine — nothing. 



If this be allowed, it will not be out of place to give one or 

 two illustrations of the difference in outward appearance of 



