48 THE RACING WORLD 



erass. The horses are then taken in and find 

 that the remains of their dinner, if there were 

 any remains, which you greatly hope there have 

 not been, are cleared away and a fresh feed has 

 been put in their mangers ; and they are well 

 dressed for about half an hour. It need hardly 

 be said that absolutely the best hay and oats that 

 can possibly be obtained are indispensable. The 

 trainer may grow a plentiful crop of hay on his 

 farm, but unless it be of the very best quality it 

 is unsuitable for a racehorse. 



At about half-past five the trainer, accompanied 

 by his head lad, goes round the stables and care- 

 fully inspects every horse, feeling his legs, &c., 

 earnestly hoping not to find that heat in the 

 ioints which is usually the forerunner of evil. 

 Once more the head lad may prove his value by 

 mentioning any little things he has observed ; 

 and he receives instructions as to any treatment 

 which particular horses may require. After 

 stables the trainer returns to his house and has 

 a busy and anxious time with the Calendar. 

 Much depends upon whether the owners for 

 whom he works enter their own horses and strike 

 them out, merely telling him to get them ready 

 for certain races, or whether the exceedingly dif- 

 ficult duty of " placing " is left to him ; and 



