TRAINING FOR RACING, POINT-TO-POINT 371 



stands still it begins to sink down on its fetlocks, and then a 

 supreme effort is needed to lift the great weight of its body, 

 and project it into motion ; and not only does it require more 

 time to do so than do those who are " on their toes," but a 

 considerable extra strain is thrown upon the muscles, sinews, 

 and joints in addition. Undoubtedly the fractious horse has 

 an advantage over the quiet one, when started from a state of 

 rest, by being quicker into its stride, and at less exertion to 

 itself. 



At the commencement of training the work must be 

 suited to the condition of the animal, and only short 

 distances must be attempted at a very slow pace, both being 

 gradually increased as the animal progresses in condition; 

 and this is where the judgment of the trainer is required. 

 A horse commencing training from ordinary hack work 

 should have ten clear weeks before his race so as not to be 

 hurried in his preparation. An animal who has been hunted 

 during the beginning of the season, and is going to 

 compete for a special steeplechase, or point-to-point, begins 

 with hardened muscles and clear wind, and will require far 

 less time to be at its best. For such six weeks should be 

 allotted, during which there should be no hunting, except an 

 occasional trot to a near meet, to raise the spirit of the 

 horse by seeing the hounds again. This acts quite like 

 a tonic to a hunter and relieves the monotony of the ordinary 

 routine ; but as soon as the hounds leave the first covert the 

 horse should be brought back home, for the benefit desired 

 will have been attained, and the extra fatigue is not desirable 

 which might follow if the rider in his zeal rode after the 

 pack. At the beginning of the six weeks' course it is well to 

 let the horse go very easily for the first week, if he has been 

 regularly taking his turn in the hunting-field, to recover 

 from any staleness, and usually a mild dose of physic will 

 clear his system and do considerable good. Following this 

 plan I have won many races with my ordinary hunters, 

 including the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown, and the 

 Grand National Hunt Steeplechase, both of which were 

 four miles. 



As it may be of interest, the actual work done by the 



