152 TRAINING IN INDIA. 



slow. Hence, the trainer, speaking generally, should 

 rigidly limit the distance over which he sends an 

 animal at a fast pace, to one which the horse can cover 

 without having to slacken off at the finish. 



Experience teaches us that we must be very careful 

 in applying the fact that speed can be greatly increased 

 by practice, to horses ; because, if we push it to an 

 undue extent, they will be apt to become disgusted with 

 their work, and may refuse to " try" ; a proceeding 

 which will nullify any calculation made on the basis of 

 the horse being a machine. For this reason, we should, 

 as a rule, never fully extend an animal in a training 

 gallop. If we have to do this in a trial or in a race, so 

 much the worse for the horse in the great majority 

 of cases ; for, unless he is exceptionally " game," the 

 fact of his knowing the utmost extent of his own 

 powers, will prevent him from struggling as resolutely 

 as he would do, were his self-knowledge less extended. 

 How often do we find that, even winning, after a severe 

 finish, converts, for the remainder of his life, a good 

 horse into a worthless brute, as far as racing is 

 concerned ; and that the effect of losing, under similar 

 circumstances, is still more liable to ruin an animal. 

 Horses vary so much in the manner they stand fast 

 work that it is impossible to lay down any detailed 

 rules for guidance on the subject. Sluggish horses are, as 

 a rule, far better in this respect than are impetuous ones ; 

 and thorough-breds, than " cocktails." Pedestrians can 

 stand more training than horses, and will often bear 

 being extended day after day without losing their " turn 

 of speed." This fact is probably to be accounted for 

 by the higher development of their nervous system. 



