TRAINERS AND TRAINING 45 



undoubted successes, they must find it serviceable. 

 I am inclined to think, all the same, that our 

 visitors try w^ith other horses more than they used 

 to do ; also, however, " clocking " their gallops. 

 But some trainers have good eyes and race-glasses 

 which make excellent substitutes for clocks ; they 

 can judge how fast their horses are going in a 

 gallop with an accuracy which is the result of 

 constant observation. Some again are fond of 

 galloping a set distance by the clock, and it may 

 be a useful guide to know whether a young 

 horse can cover, say, 5 furlongs in 64 seconds, or 

 to find out in a similar way whether an older 

 horse is retaining his speed ; but in my opinion 

 you get more satisfactory tests by putting horses 

 together. As to this estimate of 64 seconds, it 

 may be misleading, as a vast deal depends on the 

 easiness or severity of the course, the state of 

 the going, the wind, and other considerations. 



I have digressed from the account I was giving 

 about the routine of the trainer's life, and must 

 apologise, seeking to be excused on the ground 

 that writing is a new occupation to me, and 

 there is really so much to be said that I have 

 difficulty in saying it in the space which the 

 Editor has paid me the compliment of asking me 

 to fill. We left the horses, I think, after their 



