40 THE LIFE OF A KACEHORSE. 



spiration, until it ran in streams down my legs, and trickled 

 away in currents from my fetlocks. Water Avas tlien given to 

 me from a bottle ; my nostrils, lips, and face well sponged, and 

 the clothes thrown forward from my quarters, which were sub- 

 jected to the ordeal of being well but lightly scraped. The 

 girths of the saddle were then slackened, and my hood taken off. 

 Harry, who held me, began to get my head dry with a rubber, 

 "vvhile another assistant commenced scraping my neck on the 

 near-side. That finished, a third lad set-to with a wisp, while 

 the off- side met with its share of the scraper. !&[y mane was 

 now held up and struck over with the same implement, v/lien 

 the three assistants plied their hands and arms vigorously to get 

 my neck, head, and ears dry with as much dispatch as possible. 

 This division of the task accomplished, my mane was brushed 

 smooth, and a fresh dry hood put on. The saddle and clothing 

 were then stripped off, and my body well scraped, wisped, and 

 rubbed until there was not a damp hair upon it. Dry clothing 

 was now put on, my mouth again washed out from the refresh- 

 ing bottle, and my attendant, in accordance with our trainer's 

 mandate, led me from the Eubbing-house. 



After being walked about for some time, Harry Dale was 

 once more " put up," and ordered to give me a steady canter by 

 myself. This done, I was turned towards the stable, and, 

 walking at my ease, I arrived there with the rest of the lot, 

 who had undergone the same fine-drawing process as myself, 

 cool and comfortable, and none the worse for my " spin." In 

 addition to the usual dressing, and ordinary treatment, my legs 

 and feet, on this occasion, were bathed with warm water pre- 

 vious to bandaging them, and instead of water I had a generous 

 allowance of oatmeal gruel to drink, and a bran mash in lieu of 

 corn. A handful of hay thrown into my rack, and I was left to 

 the sole society of Toby for several hours. 



I had now undergone my first and second preparation, and, 

 greatly to the delight of John Sellusall, no symptoms of curbs, 

 sore shins, effusions in the legs, heat, or any of the innumerable 

 and unfavourable signs of " going through the sieve " presented 

 themselves. I continued well, sound, and in impro^ang con- 



