336 TRAINING. 



considered capable. If a horse is used he should be put to his 

 utmost speed for three or four miles at a time on some good turf, 

 but after all, this only develops a good long canter for the grey- 

 hound, unless the horse is a first-class thoroughbred, which is 

 seldom the case. The hill work should also be increased slightly, 

 but I must again repeat the necessity for the trainer to take care 

 that he does not jade and ( overmark ' his dogs. His object is to get 

 as much flesh off as possible without this injurious and fatal effect, 

 so that in the next week he may slacken his operations, and thus 

 bring out his charge light and corky in spirits, yet perfectly free 

 from internal fat, and with their muscles all wound up to ' concert 

 pitch.' This is the perfection of the art, and it is only among the 

 select few that it is ever fully acquired. 



With regard to food, little change should be made, the chief one 

 to be attended to depending on the fact that it often freshens the 

 stomach to give a few boiled potatoes five or six days before 

 running. In all other respects the diet may be as described 

 at page 331. 



During the whole of the last week there should be no road work 

 whatever, as far as it is possible to avoid it. The pads are thereby 

 allowed to cover themselves with their horny cuticle, and in this 

 way less danger of cuts is incurred than when they are thinly 

 clothed. 



On the day before running no fast work whatever is to be 

 allowed, but there should be at least three or four hours walking 

 exercise ; in fact, the treatment is the same as directed on the day 

 before the private trial at page 333. 



