DURATION OF WORK. 45 



If this work be continued for two months, the colt 

 should be fit at any time to have a trial over half a 

 mile of ground, and could be got ready to run this dis- 

 tance within a month. 



Two-year olds should never be sweated unless very 

 gross, or very weak in their pins ; and if ever they are 

 sweated, only one light rug and hood should be put on, 

 or the weight of the rugs and the debility caused by 

 the sweating will make them slow, jaded, and utterly 

 unfit to race. Had I the alternative of sweating or 

 muzzling a two-year old to reduce flesh, I should adopt 

 the latter practice most certainly, since sweating ren- 

 ders young ones very weak and faint, and causes their 

 muscles to become soft and placid ; or, in other words, 

 they train off rapidly. 



I maintain that one hour's work cantering a quar- 

 ter of a mile from eight to ten times (which would 

 occupy, say five minutes) the remainder of the time 

 (55 minutes) being consumed by walking is quite 

 enough for any animal that has to grow as well as 

 work. For training young animals properly, the exer- 

 cise should be quick and the time short. The canter- 

 ing after the first fortnight should be done at a quick 

 sharp pace. They should never be kept on their legs 

 too long, since the muscles and sinews are not suffi- 

 ciently matured to stand any lengthened strain without 

 injury. 



I need hardly add that a two-year old should have 

 a nice airy roomy box, and be left quiet as long as 

 possible, that he may rest at his pleasure : for at this 



