42 RACE HORSE. 



the horse's belly ; his left hand governing the horse's 

 mouth, and his right the whip. During the whole time 

 of the race, he must take care to sit firm in the saddle, 

 without waving or standing up in the stirrups. Some 

 jockeys fancy the last a becoming seat ; but it is certain 

 that all motions of this kind do really incommode the 

 horse. In spurring the horse, it is not to be done by 

 sticking the calves of the l^gs close to the horse's side, 

 as if it were intended to press the wind out of his body ; 

 but on the contrary, the toes are to be turned a little 

 outwards, and the heels being brought in, the spurs 

 may just be brought to touch the side. A sharp touch of 

 this kind will be of more service toward the quicken- 

 ing of a horse's pace, and will sooner draw blood than 

 one of the common coarse kicks. The expert jockey 

 will never spur his horse until there is great occasion, 

 and the a he will avoid striking him under the fore 

 bowels, between the shoulders and the girt ; this is the 

 tenderest part of a horse, and a touch there is to be 

 reserved for the greatest extremity. 



As to whipping the horse, it ought always to be 

 done over the shoulder, on the near side, except in 

 very hard running, and on the point of victory ; then 

 the horse is to be struck on the flank with a strong 

 jerk; for the skin is the most tender of all there, and 

 most sensible of the lash. When a horse is whipped 

 and spurred, and is at the top of his speed, if he clap his 

 ears in his pole or w^hisk his tail, it is a proof that the 

 jockey treats him hard, and then he ought to give him 

 as much comfort as he can, by sawing the snaflle back- 

 wards and forwards in his mouth, and by that means 

 forcing him to open his mouth, which will give him 

 wind, and be of great service. If there be any high 

 wmd stirring in the time of riding, the artful jockey 

 will let his adversary lead, holding hard behind him, 



