586 HISTORY OF THE 



taken his *' up-gallop," of from a quarter to half 

 a mile, according to the distance he is about to 

 run, and which gallop is generally led for him by 

 the trainer, on his hack, he walks his horse quietly 

 to the place of starting. 



He now places himself in a position, the best 

 calculated to start his horse to advantage the mo- 

 ment the signal is given ; having his near-side 

 bridle rein passed outside of, and over, the lower 

 part of the palm of the left hand, and then pressed 

 firmly with the thumb, and with the off-side rein 

 between the middle and third fingers of the right 

 hand — in w^hich he also has his whip. Except 

 when using the whip, the jockey should always 

 hold his horse's head with both hands. If a 

 double rein to a curb-bit is used, the near-side 

 rein passes between the middle and third fingers 

 of the left hand, and the off-side one between the 

 middle and third fingers of the right hand; in 

 both cases, the hands should be well down on the 

 withers. 



His method of starting his horse depends en- 

 tirely upon the distance, and we cannot do better 

 than place him in the different situations in which 

 he will have to " make running," or "wait," as 

 circumstances may require. We should here ex- 

 plain that what is called "making running," is 

 practise d with a horse distinguished for his stout- 

 ness and power of endurance. With such a horse, 

 the jockey's best plan is to run the race from end 



