CHAPTER IX. 

 How TO Prepare, Manage and Drive a Horse in a Race. 



We will suppose your horse has arrived at maturity. We 

 all know some horses at four years old will require and can 

 stand more work than others at six or seven. Horses, like 

 people, are of different temperaments and ability and must be 

 handled accordingly. A man should go carefully until he 

 thoroughly understands the disposition and ability of his 

 horse. See that he is properly shod and booted. These are 

 the two most essential points in the training of your horse. 

 It applies here as well as with the colt. If he hits himself he 

 becomes sore and is afraid to go, and consequently becomes 

 bad gaited and it will be necessary to let him up, whereas if 

 he had been properly, protected at the commencement you 

 would have a number of seconds' better horse at the end of 

 the season, as well as increasing the contents of your pocket- 

 book. If it is in the spring of the year and you intend racing 

 your horse through the season, you should have him strong, 

 with a good coat of flesh on him, and keep him so as near as 

 you can. This is a part where a man must exercise good 

 judgment about the feeding of his horse. As you increase 

 his work increase his feed proportionately. Horses differ. 

 Some require more feed, hay and oats than others to keep 

 them strong and in good flesh, which is necessary to stand a 

 campaign. The amount required ranges from ten to fourteen 

 quarts, with plenty of good timothy hay; perhaps in addition 

 a little cracked corn, rye or wheat. Corn will sometimes 

 loosen a horse's bowels too much ; if so, change to wheat or 

 rye. Do not use your muzzle any more than is actually neces- 

 sary, as I think there are five used where only one is needed. 

 Rye straw is very hard to digest, and if he insists upon eating 

 it you had better tie him up after he has finished eating his 



