218 TRAINING IN INDIA. 



settled down, they are not so likely to run out or go 

 crooked as they were at first. Besides this, some are 

 almost certain to " tail off." 



On the majority of Indian steeplechase courses the 

 ground for, say, twenty-five yards in front of each 

 obstacle will require to be watered in order to effect- 

 ually lay the dust ; so that the horses behind the 

 leaders may see what they are required to leap. The 

 landing side should be made soft, for about the same 

 distance, so as to save the horses' forelegs, and, also, 

 to take the " bone" out of the ground in case any of 

 the animals fall. The opposite extreme, of making the 

 ground deep and " holding " on landing, should be 

 carefully avoided. Stiff and solid fences, such as walls, 

 should never be placed in a position which will cause 

 their shadow to fall on the taking-off side. In other 

 words, the horse which has to run in the afternoon, 

 should meet no obstacle of this kind, when going in a 

 westerly direction ; for if he does so, he will be apt 

 to jump as if the shadow represented a yawning drain, 

 which, in such cases, he probably thinks it is ; and will, 

 then, be liable to strike the fence and come down. 

 The terrible accident which occurred at Dehra Doon to 

 poor Jack Irving, who was one of the best jockeys I 

 have ever seen, and which was ultimately the cause of 

 his death, was caused in this manner. The same rale 

 should be observed with regard to water-jumps ; for, as 

 remarked by Mr. Short, " the sun shining from the 

 front on water is very dazzling to horses coming up 

 fast." 



The following are the usual kinds of fences met with 

 on Indian steeplechase courses : 



