6o THE TRAINING GROUND. 



to prevent its being heavy in wet : such for example are 

 many of the South Downs in Sussex and those about 

 Sahsbury Plain. The extent should in a great measure depend 

 on the number of horses likely to be trained on it, and should 

 always be too big rather than circumscribed ; for when it is 

 the latter, continual galloping on the same track spoils it, 

 and the horses are more likely to become lame. Moreover 

 a change of ground is in other ways beneficial for them. 

 Plenty of scope you must have or you cannot train for a long 

 course ; besides, the walking ground should be distinct from 

 the galloping ground. It is necessary to have two or three 

 pieces of half and three quarters of a mile in extent, and in 

 addition, space for gallops of a mile, a mile and three quarters, 

 or two miles, or even longer, straight, is requisite for prepara- 

 tion for long courses. If you have not this your horses 

 will suffer, as you cannot have them gallop round a circle as 

 in an amphitheatre. 



We are told that pedestrians when in training are made to 

 do most of their fast work uphill — a clear proof that it is 

 considered far preferable to running down. It is a system 

 that cannot be too closely followed with the race-horse. 

 Horses might be trained by galloping uphill only ; but if 

 only permitted to gallop downhill would never be got fit. 

 There is no objection to an occasional steady gallop over 

 undulating ground ; but the fast work should be done up hill 

 or on level ground. It is necessary too, that the galloping 

 ground should be nearly straight, not angular, or the pace 

 cannot be kept up all the way ; a matter often necessary, and 

 especially in trials. 



In the preparation for spring engagements, the horses cut 

 up the ground and spoil it for summer use ; it is necessary 

 therefore to have entirely distinct courses, which should be kept 



