376 TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS. 



Who can tell what benefit the animals may derive 

 from beholding such beautiful things on leaving and 

 returning to the stable ? What trainer, in the old 

 time, did not know the fatal effects of glanders in his 

 stable, as in the case of the late Mr. Isaac Sadler, 

 who, on first going to Stockbridge, lost nearly the 

 whole of his stud through that disease ? I may say 

 that, then, flowers were unknown as a decoration, 

 except ' in the perfumed mansions of the great,' or 

 they might have proved a powerful antidote to this 

 complaint. 



Again, as to the food given to the racehorse, how 

 knowledge has advanced with the march of time ! 

 In the olden days it was of the simplest kind, least 

 calculated to repel disease. Oats, hay, and straw, 

 with occasional bran-mashes as a precautionary 

 measure against constipation or inflammation, ex- 

 haust the whole catalogue. But we have since 

 learned that change of food is essential to the health 

 of all animals, and especially of those in captivity. 

 We have now a variety of food unknown till lately, a 

 few kinds of which I will venture to enumerate. 

 Linseed is now given, either boiled as a mash with 

 oats or mixed dry with the corn. This has a stimu- 

 lating effect, and if properly and regularly administered 

 in sufficient quantities, will ensure, if nothing else, a 

 glossy coat and round barrel. Wheat, barley, beans 

 and peas, both white and grey, are usually given 

 with oats on account of their strengthening qualities. 



