THE BEST SEASON FOR PREPARATION. 79 



made fit to run a long course without the aid of galloping 

 the distance, or, indeed, by steadily doing a shorter one. The 

 eccentric and facetious Mr. T. Oliver, senior, used to say he 

 could get a steeple-chaser fit to run two miles, without a 

 gallop, by walking and trotting exercise only ; and it is the 

 opinion of a celebrated trainer of the present day, that a 

 horse has only to gallop a mile and a quarter to make him fit 

 to run for a four-mile race. After what I have stated, I need 

 scarcely say this is not my opinion ; nor have I seen anything 

 in the running of the horses so trained to induce me to alter 

 my ideas on the subject in the slightest degree. 



These are some of the contrasts of methods which years 

 have brought about, and are sufficient, it is hoped, for the 

 purpose of illustration ; and we may therefore proceed to 

 consider the process of preparation, as it is carried on in 

 the present day with horses of different ages. 



As regards the season of the year best fitted for preparation 

 — all horses should, if possible, be prepared in the spring, with- 

 out regard to age or sex, as the ground is then soft, and they 

 can be got fit at less risk of injury to the legs than when it is 

 hard. The following is a summary outline of the work to be 

 done in the spring and succeeding months, until winter 

 brings once more the time of rest, putting a stop to all 

 exercise but on the straw bed. 



Commence, as I have said, as soon as the state of the 

 ground will permit, minimising the work when it is dry, at 

 which times the horses not immediately wanted to run maybe 

 rested, with gentle exercise only. If the drought be of long 

 continuance, a dose of physic may be given before going into 

 active work again. This will keep them from getting too 

 big, and has been the means of bringing many an animal to the 

 post fairly prepared, when so much could not have been 



