SECRETARY'S REPORT. 205 



to restore a liorse, which has been running in pasture for 

 some weeks, to condition. Still it must be remembered that a 

 horse can no more be kept in perfect trim for the fastest work 

 all the time, than a bow can always be bent without losing its 

 elasticity. The importance of occasional relaxation from liard 

 labor for both man and horse is too often overlooked or postponed, 

 until disease renders it indispensable. With a proper regard to 

 variety in food and to the real health and ability of the animal, 

 now frequently neglected, so long as the daily work is done, 

 the horse would not only look and feel much better, but last 

 much longer in complete soundness than he now does. 



Sudden changes from green food to dry, or the contrary, 

 must be made with great caution, and there is more need of 

 mentioning it in this country because fortunately the almost 

 universal English habit of giving physic to horses once, twice, 

 or three times when such changes are made, is nearly unknown 

 here. In most cases, simple loosening of the bowels by means 

 of bran mashes and changing the food gradually, will be suffi- 

 cient to prevent injury to the horse, provided he be exercised 

 prudently after being sometime at grass. The rapid drying up 

 of his fluids by the use of hard food, the heating of his legs and 

 feet in the stable, and the relaxed condition of his joints and 

 muscles, all render him very liable to inflammations and strains 

 at this time. 



The preparation of fast trotters or roadsters for matches, or 

 for rapid driving, consists in removing superfluous fat, wliich 

 obstructs the action of the lungs and heart and increases the 

 weight ; and in hardening the muscles and tendons. The prin- 

 cipal means to be relied on, are physic, sweating, exercise, 

 rubbing, and hard food of the best quality. 



TRAINING. 



By training is meant the preparation of a horse for the 

 performance of such labor as will thoroughly test his speed and 

 bottom. It consists in removing from his system superfluous 

 juices and fat which obstruct the action of his lungs and heart 

 and increase his weight, without adding to his strength ; also, 

 in imparting solidity and elasticity to his muscles, and firmness 

 and endurance to his joints, ligaments and tendons. Another 

 most important duty of the trainer, especially of the trotting 



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