THE RACE-HORSE. 535 



of parts. The prevailing colour of the modern Race-Horse 

 is the bright brown or bay, so generally characteristic of the 

 Horses of the East, with black legs, mane, and tail. A rich 

 chestnut, too, the colour of Eclipse, is not unfrequent. The 

 bright black, common to the larger horses of the plains of 

 Germany, is rare, although good horses, chiefly those of the 

 Trumpator blood, have been of this colour. Gray sometimes 

 presents itself ; but dun, roan, and piebald, are unusual. 



As the conformation of the Race-Horse has become adapt- 

 ed to the exercise of a peculiar class of powers, so his treat- 

 ment, food, and discipline, have relation to the same end. 

 From an early period of his life, he is placed in what may be 

 termed an artificial condition with respect to temperature, 

 nourishment, and exercise. He is scarcely separated from 

 the dam before he is clothed, placed in a hot stable, put on a 

 diet of dry food, and exercised according to rules. He is 

 brought upon the turf at the age of three years, or sooner. 

 According to a modern practice unhappily introduced, he is 

 frequently run at the age of two years, or even before. This 

 system is calculated to produce an injurious effect on this 

 noble race of horses. It deprives the animals of that food 

 which is best suited to the system in early life, substitutes 

 artificial discipline for that natural exercise which the young 

 and immature animal requires, and tasks his powers to the 

 extreme, before his natural growth has been completed. It 

 impairs by over- excitement the vigour of the system, pro- 

 duces a tendency to many maladies, and shortens the dura- 

 tion of life. Not only does it affect the individual, but it 

 acts upon the progeny, causing feebleness and disease, and 

 impairing the natural powers of the race. 



The principle of the treatment of the modern Race-Horse, 

 which is to be brought to a forced maturity of muscle and 

 bone, is to keep him in what is termed condition, allowing 

 him only a period of relaxation after the labour of the sea- 

 son. He receives dry and nourishing food, is kept in a high 

 temperature by the heat of the stable and continued clothing, 



