118 TRAININGt 



sides, a three-part bred Arab, though of the most 

 willing temper, will never stand the training of the 

 genuine blood. The legs, likewise, sometimes swell 

 during the day at the commencement of training : this 

 arises often from debility, and more from the horse 

 not being ready for a good canter at all, than from 

 the exercise having been too severe for this stage. 

 Call, therefore, the first two to six months, according 

 to the time it may have taken you to putting into 

 condition ; when you have accomplished that, three 

 to four more will be ample to carry him up to the 

 mark. 



A DAY'S ROUTINE. 



Every morning, precisely at daybreak, your trust- 

 worthy horsekeeper (if he does not merit that appel- 

 lation you had better change him, or sleep in the 

 stable yourself,) is to look quietly in at the stall, 

 to discover whether the horse is lying down ; if so, 

 let no noise be made ; there he is to remain till he 

 voluntarily rises : if standing up, put on the snaffle bri- 

 dle immediately, for it is just at this time, after the 

 night's rest, that he will commence nibbling at grass, 

 one blade of which is hurtful, now that he is going 

 out to exercise. First, with a perfectly dry towel, 

 wipe the ointment, given at p. 152, out of the heels, 

 or the dust and dirt may adhere, and the ointment 

 become the cause, instead of preventing cracks. One 



training. The misfortune is, they generally take it into their heads to sulk 

 the day of the race, by which one would suppose the concourse of spectators 

 intimidated them, or perhaps reminded them that this is the day of whip and 

 spur. Gelding will sometimes cure sulkiness, though there should be nothing 

 wrong with the testicles ; and I should be inclined to risk that operation to 

 backing an uncertain horse. 



