RACE-HORSES. 829 



Price. — The price of the steeple-chaser is as variable as that of 

 any other race-horse. It is determined according to the pedigree and 

 the conformation in the colt which has not yet performed ; on the 

 other hand, according to the performances and the successes obtained 

 when he has alread}' appeared upon the turf. 



Ordinarily, it is inferior to that of the preceding, because the ani- 

 mals which are entered in steeple-chases are neither as beautiful nor 

 as serviceable. It is evident that if their chances of winning a prize 

 on the race-course were good, it would be to the advantage of their 

 owners to utilize them in this way, for accidents are much less common. 

 For these reasons we give, based upon very general indications, the 

 figures $200 to $12,000 as representing the approximate value of this 

 variety of horse. 



In a large number of hippodromes it is rather common to meet 

 among steeple-chasers running-horses which have met with some accident 

 in a former race, a laceration or rupture of the tendons, for example. 

 They are then said to be broken down. In this case, they are castrated 

 with a view of modifying somewhat their conformation, and are then 

 fired that they may regain their strength. However, their price is dimin- 

 ished in proportion to the blemishes of which they still bear the traces. 



Origin. — Formerly the half-thoroughbred horse was employed for 

 the steeple-chase, being foaled and raised exclusively with a view to 

 this end. Little by little the trainers conceived the idea of making 

 use of the thoroughbred horse, which experience has always shown to 

 be superior in speed and endurance. For this reason we no longer 

 see the half-breed at the present time. 



C— Trotters. 



On a parallel with the running races are placed the trotting races, in 

 harness or under the saddle, for which purjwse a jiarticular variety of 

 horses is produced. We must then distinguish at once in this group 

 trotters in harness and trotters under the saddle. 



I. Trotters in Harness. 



Mode of utilization. — As their name indicates, these animals 

 are always driven upon the race-track harnessed to very light vehicles 

 called sulkie.^ or skeletons. 



" The sulky is composed of a small seat, without covering, for a 

 single person. The driver has his legs separated, and his feet rest 

 upon two bars fastened to the shafts ; besides, the horse is harnessed so 

 short that his hind-quarters are placed between the two legs of the 



