438 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 



lack of condition is not apparent yet, though I am fearful 

 it will show before two more heats are finished. All the 

 trouble I look for them to give you now is trying to obtain 

 the best of the start, and as long as they do not get lead 

 enough to take the pole before you reach the turn, I would 

 not care if they had half a length the advantage. Again 

 the signal is given. We must not lose any time in getting 

 ready. By always trying to give the judges as little trou- 

 ble as possible, we gain their favorable opinion; and a 

 driver who gains a reputation of not being troublesome, 

 will receive more favors than one who is always wrang- 

 ling. Boys, sponge Never Mind, and allow him one 

 swallow of water. Two to one you win this heat. 



Bravo, again ! Two of the games towards the long rub- 

 ber ; though that was a harder and faster heat than the 

 other, and Never Mind shows a good deal more distress. 

 His legs are shaky, and his breathing more labored. Wrap 

 him up as soon as you can. Walk him along till you get 

 out of the way of the crowd. He scrapes freely, which is 

 one great thing in his favor. Another swallow of water. 

 Now off with him. You may give him a mouthful of gruel. 

 I think we will not use the sherry yet, as I would much 

 rather he would get along without it. He does not cool 

 out as well as he did before. Hold his head to the breeze, 

 and shower some water on his poll. That will do: his eye 

 looks a little brighter. Walk him again, when you can 

 finish drying him. 



PUPIL. That was a different affair from the first heat ; 

 No. Two is a good deal the best horse. I was afraid Never 

 Mind was going to quit when about a quarter of the way 

 down the home stretch, and when the other horse made 

 the rally, he would have given me more trouble than he 

 did if he had not left his feet. Well, I hope it has been 

 as hard for him as it was for me,, though from his having 

 an easy heat of the first, it is not likely. 



