IN-AND-OUT RUNNING EXAMINED. 107 



completed that it leaked ; to which he replied, " Puddle." 

 This was done, but with no effect, and recourse was had to 

 him again. He again repHed, this time somewhat peevishly, 

 " Puddle, puddle." In the end, by following his laconic 

 advice, the defiant nature of the work was satisfactorily over- 

 come. I can only recommend any one aspiring to train a 

 racehorse to keep this anecdote in view ; for gallops added to 

 gallops will often complete that which less work would have 

 left undone. 



This, I think, must conclude my direct reference to the 

 subject at present under consideration. But before proceed- 

 ing to another, it will not be inappropriate to glance at two 

 matters cognate to it ; that interesting puzzle, in-and-out 

 running ; and, secondly, the system of preparation favoured in 

 America — from both of which inferences may, it is hoped, be 

 drawn that may help us a little. 



On the former head it may be allowed, at the outset, that 

 horses are not always in the same condition of health. Could 

 we correctly ascertain the state of their health, at given times, 

 we should be much assisted in coming to a fair conclusion 

 as to their real merit, and should satisfactorily conclude the 

 reason of many, otherwise unaccountable, defeats. It is 

 equally certain that horses may and do improve, in a manner 

 which no amount of vigilance can detect or skill account 

 for. Moreover it is an indisputable fact, proved beyond all 

 manner of doubt, and intelligible enough to any thinking 

 man, that horses get ill unobserved by the most observant 

 of all observers ; and whilst so, that no man can calculate 

 to what extent ,they are affected by such illness. 



I will illustrate this by the instances of two of the most 

 remarkable horses I think I ever remember in one year, and 

 emphasise their performances by contrast with those of others.. 



