RACE HORSE. 41 



cold wind on every part. In the second week, the horse 

 should have the same food and more exercise ; and in 

 the last fortnight he must have dried oats, that have 

 been hdled by beating ; after this jockeys wet them 

 with the whites of eggs beaten up, and then laid out in 

 the sun to dry ; and when dry as before, the horse 

 is to have them : this sort of food being considered by 

 them as very light of digestion, and very good for the 

 creature's wind. The beans in this time should be 

 given more sparingly, and the bread should be made 

 of three parts wheat and one part beans, or of wheat 

 and barley in equal parts. If he should become costive 

 under this course, he must then have bran- water to 

 drink, or some ale and whites of eggs beaten together ; 

 and keep his body moist. In the last week all mashing 

 is to be omiiled, and barley- w^ater given him in its place ; 

 and every day, till the day before the race, he should 

 have his fill of hay ; then he must have it given him 

 more sparingly, that he may have time to digest it ; 

 and in the morning of the race day, he must have a 

 toast or two of white bread soaked in ale, and the same 

 'ust before he is led out of the field. This is an excel- 

 lent method, because the two extremes of fulness and 

 fasting are at this time to be equally avoided ; the one 

 heating his w^ind, and the other occasioning a faintness 

 that mav make him loose. After he has had his food, 



^ 7 



the litter is to be shook up, and the stable kept quiet, 

 that he may be disturbed by nothing till he is taken 

 out to run. 



In the choice of a rider for winning a race, it is 

 necessary, as far as possible, to select one that is not 

 only expert and able, but honest. He must have a very 

 close seat, his knees being turned close to the saddle 

 skirts, and held firmly there; and the toes turned 

 inwards, so that the spurs may be turned outwards \o 

 5 



