$6 CONDITION. 



Yet it must be patent from what has been said in the last 

 chapter, and it is to all conversant with the habits and treat- 

 ment of the racehorse, that the current categorical con- 

 demnation of the condition of all beaten horses, is but 

 an evidence of profound ignorance. As for myself, I have 

 shown reason enough, I hope, for my conviction that no 

 trainer would be found guilty of an act so suicidal as 

 not properly to prepare his horse. His reputation is 

 at stake, his very existence, it may be said, involved in 

 the well being of his horses. And if these be ill-fed or 

 neglected, how can they work .-' And if they cannot work, 

 how can they compete with those that do .■' No, these base- 

 less charges carry their own refutation. No man would set 

 himself to defeat his own ends ; to successfully accomplish 

 that which each one of us is so strenuously seeking to avoid — 

 his own degradation and shame. It is sheer nonsense. Horses 

 have run light and will do so to the end ; it is one of the 

 grand essentials of condition, and few are really fit in any 

 other state. 



But after all, condition is but a relative term, as it may be 

 viewed by different people. This horse is as w'idely praised as 

 that is widely condemned, equally without reason ; for do all 

 we can, nothing will prevent horses in condition being light 

 in appearance — in some instances to the extent of seeming 

 neglect — and yet these horses, oftener than not, beat the big 

 and fat ones. We need go no farther for an example than 

 the race at Lincoln between Tame Deer and FisJiennan ; the 

 former looking like a donkey and the latter with a coat like 

 satin, his ribs covered (as it was said at the time) with muscle. 

 At slbs. difference Tavic Deer won, proving himself on that 

 day«and in their respective condition the better horse at even 

 weights — yet it was subsequently proved and remains an 



