ADJUSTING THE SADDLE. 65 



hundred yards, after which one quartern of oats and a 

 little water may be given, and the horse must be care- 

 fully secured, either by muzzling or racking, until 

 taken out for the race. 



In adjusting the saddle, &c., great care should be 

 taken that the weights are level ; that there be not a 

 greater weight on one side than on the other ; and, 

 if there be no breastplate, that they be put on very 

 forward ; also that the girths are not drawn too tightly : 

 6 if a horse cannot grunt he cannot gallop,' is a very 

 old and very wise saying that many strong-armed 

 grooms would do well to remember. 



The practice of washing out the mouth, previous to 

 the jockey getting into the saddle, is a very good one, 

 since it prevents that dryness and harshness of the 

 mouth which so frequently annoys both man and horse 

 on suddenly commencing rapid inspirations, and more- 

 over it renders the mouth more supple and sensitive 

 to the rider's touch. 



EACE HIDING. 



Little need be said on this subject, since there is so 

 much practice in these days, that, unless in the most 

 remote parts of England, the services of a fair per- 

 former can generally be secured. No definite rules 

 can be laid down, with the exception of the following 

 general remarks. 



1. The fitter your horse is, the more severe should 

 you make the pace. 



2. If you have reason to doubt your horse's game- 



ly 



