BRITISH TURF. 567 



half a mile, the boy begins to push him forward, 

 and without relaxation for another half mile. This 

 is at the period when the horses are in full exer- 

 cise, to which they come by degrees. The boy 

 that can best regulate these degrees among those of 

 light weight, is generally chosen to lead the gallop ; 

 that is, he goes first out of the stable, and first 

 returns. 



" In the time of long exercise, this is the first 

 brushing gallop. A brushing gallop signifies that the 

 horses are nearly at full speed before it is over, and 

 it is commonly made at last rather up hill. Having 

 all pulled up, the horses stand some two or three 

 minutes, and recover their wind ; they then lei- 

 surely descend the hill, and take a long walk ; 

 after which they are brought to water. But in this, 

 as in every thing else, (at least as soon as long ex- 

 ercise begins) every thing given to them is mea- 

 sured. The boy counts the number of times the 

 horse swallows when he drinks, and allows him to 

 take no more gulps than the groom orders, the 

 few^est in the hardest exercise, and one horse more 

 or less than another, according to the judgment of 

 the groom. After watering, a gentle gallop is 

 taken, and after that another walk of considerable 

 length ; to which succeeds the second and last 

 brushing gallop, which is by far the most severe. 

 When it is over, another pause thoroughly to 

 recover their wind is allowed them, their last walk 



