EVERY MAN HIS OWN TRAINER. 1 37 



not be better than three minutes. Perhaps in twenty or 

 thirty minutes it would be well to give him another mile in 

 2:55. To days later you might step him along another mile 

 in 2:50, and in two days again give him a mile, and repeat the 

 first mile in 2:50, second in 2:45. Two days later a mile in 

 2:42 or 2:43 ought not to do him any harm ; then, in three or 

 four days, give him three heats in 2:50, 2:45 and 2:40. 



Remember, that in driving your horse a mile to let him 

 step right along by the stand fifteen or twenty rods. Do not 

 let him stop as soon as he has passed the wire, as a horse will 

 quickly learn where his stopping place is, and he might 

 slacken too quick some day in a race when you were having 

 a close finish. In this way, as your horse gets strength, wind 

 cleared out and muscle worked up, increase his work accord- 

 ingly, brushing him through the stretch at the finish of a mile 

 nearly up to the limit of his speed. On Tuesday give him a 

 mile, and repeat well within himself. On the Friday follow- 

 ing give him four heats, first one in 2:45, second in 2:40, third 

 in 2:35, and if he appears cheerful and fresh step him along the 

 next orte close to 2:30. Any competent trainer should be 

 able to judge of his horse's ability to go a mile or a number 

 of them without forcing him a full mile at the top of his 

 speed, as there is many a horse discouraged and disheartened 

 by such work. A quarter of a mile is far enough for any 

 horse to be brushed at extreme speed. That ought to enable 

 a man to judge of his horse's ability in a race, provided your 

 horse is a good actor in company, if not work him with other 

 * horses. Try him at the pole on the outside and in the 

 middle, that will satisfy you which place he works the best if 

 he has any choice, as most horses do. It would be well for 

 you to score your horse a few times, trying him at short and 

 long scores. All of this should be done well within himself. 

 Keep him encouraged. If he should be a little wild or un- 

 steady treat him kindly, pat him on the rump with your hand 

 and speak gently to him, and so learn him he is not going to 

 be harmed, and that it is all right. Have your groom 



