SETTING. 209 



rest. Anyhow, on the morning of the race, he is given 

 his usual one-pound feed, and is taken out for an hour 

 and a half's walk, or he may get a very slow canter for 

 three-quarters of a mile, and be sent the next quarter 

 at nearly full speed just to open his pipes and to give 

 him the idea that his day's work is finished. After that 

 he may get about half his allowance of water, and 

 nearly his full feed of corn, with a small handful of 

 dried grass. The muzzle is now put on, and at noon 

 he may get a couple of pounds of corn. If the race 

 comes off about four o'clock, he should get nothing 

 more ; but if at a later hour, a double handful of corn 

 may be given three hours, or three hours and a half, 

 before the saddling bell rings. 



If a muzzle does not irritate a horse, it is better to use 

 one than to take up the bedding, without which most 

 horses will not lie down during the day, and many will 

 abstain from staling much longer than they ought to do. 

 On the day of the race, the grooming should be got 

 over quickly ; for the horse should be disturbed and 

 excited as little as possible. For the same reason, I 

 would never plait the mane of an excitable horse. I 

 may remark that the use of plaiting the mane is to 

 prevent the hair flying about and getting entangled with 

 the fingers of the rider, while he is holding the reins, 

 especially when he wants to shorten his grip on them. 



Having arrived at the race-course, the horse should 

 be kept walking in the shade, if possible, and the 

 saddling should be done quietly, and without any fuss. 

 I think it is advisable for the owner to look after this 

 operation himself, and to see that the weights, girths, 

 stirrup leathers, &c., are all right. The horse gets now, 



p 



