434 THE RACER. 



rider, and, without whip or spur, will generally exert himself to 

 the utmost to beat his opponent. It is beautiful to see the 

 eagerness with which he advances to the starting post. The 

 signal given he springs away he settles himself in his stride 

 the jockey becomes part and portion of him, every motion of 

 the arms and body corresponding with and aiding the action of 

 the horse. On he goes, eager, yet reserving his full powers till 

 he reaches that distance at which he will live home at the top 

 of his speed, when on he rushes, and then the race in reality 

 begins, every nerve being strained to head his competitor. 

 Then, too, comes the art of the rider, to keep the horse within 

 his pace, and with admirable give and take, add to the length 

 of every stride. The often victorious horse, Forrester, was a 

 strong illustration of the natural emulation of the racer. Once, 

 when overweighted and overmatched, the rally had begun, and 

 his opponent gained upon him. Forrester overtook him, and 

 they continued quite close, till finding his strength fail, he 

 made one desperate plunge seized his rival by the jaw, and 

 could scarcely be forced to release him. Another horse, in 

 1735, seized his adversary by the leg, and both riders had to 

 dismount to separate the animals." * 



* Youatt's History of the Horse, p. 49. 



