CASES OP OVER-TRAINING. 179 



consequence of excess of training* : and we submit, whether it may not be received 

 as a general truth that, hitherto, training a horse for the race, has been far more 

 injurious to him than the race itself. The case of Sultan above quoted, we have 

 often seen repeated ; sometimes with impunity, at others with similar definitive 

 effect. A notable instance at this moment presents itself. One of the first horses 

 of his day, was within ten or twelve days of a great match, on which very heavy 

 sums depended. He was in the highest condition, his flesh as firm as wax, his legs 

 as fine as those of a sucking foal, although an aged horse ; but being a good feeder 

 when well, and of a cheerful airy temper, his muscles appeared still plump, and it 

 would not have been quite practicable to have drawn him through a ring. Although 

 this horse's mark and trim had been so long known, and it might have been well 

 supposed that condition, health, and fine action, must be the best proof of his 

 being, at the instant, up to the height of it, yet the trainer, sticking to the old 

 text, that wo horse can run without plenty of time and work, determined that another 

 sweat and a sharp rally were necessary, in order that the horse might come to the 

 post in the highest state of perfection. Those he had, and went through them ap- 

 parently without injury, but he lost a great portion of his hilarity and his appetite ; 

 and the next morning, the lad who looked after him, found his Lack-sinews swelled 

 up to his knees, and one of his fore feet marked, that is to say, pointed forward, in 

 order to mark the inflammation which had commenced in the pastern joint, and 

 which is usually succeeded by debility and actual lameness. All this, however, was 

 nothing, in the view of the trainer, unless a favourable opportunity for a new 

 exertion of his skill. Some customary stable mess was next forced down the 

 horse's throat, he was put into a loose stable, and for several days, could take only 

 walking exercise. We have repeatedly seen stout and hard-feeding' horses sweated 

 off their stomachs and out of their spirits, and the edge of that moderate share of 

 speed which they possessed, and which was of such immense consequence to them, 

 or rather to their proprietors, entirely blunted. It is proper however to ac- 

 knowledge, that we are speaking of Newmarket in times long past ; and 

 we are ready to allow, that considerable improvement may have taken place 

 there, in the management of the Race Horse, although some farther strides 

 in that course, are necessary, in order to reach successfully the ending-post. 



We used to boast in the South, that the Northern horses generally came up to 

 Newmarket to be beaten ; but perhaps our memories acted conveniently in the matter. 

 They have generally run well there, often capitally. Witness Sampson, and Bay 

 Malton. A really capital horse would win according- to his rank, in any part of 

 England ; but with middling racers, and such as may expect to meet with their 

 peers, travelling is a matter of great concern, as well as difference of air and water ; 

 for it is wonderful, upon what even trifling circumstances, the higher and top-keys 

 of speed and wind depend, and how differently the same horse shall either g-allop 

 or trot, this week and the next. After long travel, in order to do justice to the 



