XVI INTRODUCTION. 



as may be fit to work horses on. During my stay in 

 France, I recollect being informed of an instance of 

 two horses being what was called trained in an orchard 

 of three acres in extent ; and the men who were riding 

 them at their exercise, w^ere at least twelve stone each. 

 These horses were exercised in this orchard for several 

 weeks, although there was tolerably good ground at 

 a distance of about a mile and a half from the stable ; 

 nor were these horses brought to the course until 

 about three weeks before they had to come to post. 



I will here mention one more instance of improper 

 management in the training of a horse to run. One 

 evening, after the conclusion of a day's running, I 

 was asked by a gentleman to go with him to his 

 stable to look at a horse of his, which was to run the 

 next day. The same horse had been under my care 

 to be trained some months previous to this time ; I was 

 therefore aware that there was some nicety required in 

 setting him. As we were riding towards the stable, I 

 was led to talk to the owner on the subject; and he, 

 to my great astonishment, informed me that the horse 

 was then on the muzzle, and that he did not intend 

 to have any food or water given to him until his race 

 was over on the following day. I said but little, but 

 confess I was much surprised, as the owner of the 

 horse was considered, and in my opinion, justly con- 

 sidered, by those who knew him, to be a clever man. 

 He had been in the habit of keeping horses the greater 

 part of his life. The horse in question having two 

 miles to walk to the course, I recommended that, to a 



