TRAINING WEIGHT PHYSIC. 123 



to have some idea as to how much flesh your horse 

 can go to training with, so as not to have to sweat 

 off a whole lot, to the detriment of his health, and at 

 the expense of his legs. This is difficult to tell, per- 

 haps, with a new purchase, but a strong-built, good 

 constitutioned horse, will naturally throw up flesh 

 quicker than a slight carcased or irritable one ; arid 

 a young horse, (if not quite a young colt,) up to 

 seven or so, will throw it up quicker than after that 

 age ; but whatever description of horse you are about 

 to run, he is to be put well in condition before the 

 training commences ; and if between the age of five 

 and eight, with a large carcase, it is not desira- 

 ble he should be so plump as one that is rather young, 

 or rather old, slight constitutioned, or flighty ; for 

 these large carcased strong horses, especially just at 

 that age, of five, six, or seven, throw up flesh so 

 quickly that their legs would be in danger, from 

 the great work and sweating required, to draw 

 them out fine. You must endeavour, therefore, at 

 the end of condition (if your object is the turf) to 



had a colt's tooth in his mouth, and never had more than eight stone on his 

 back up to five years old. I have mounted numerous " beautiful light going 

 horses" for sale, the property of owners of about eleven stone ; in lieu, how- 

 ever, of fine airy action, they hammered away, in comparison with fresh 

 nags, like so many stone paviers. No man, of course, can be expected to ac- 

 knowledge this until he has sold his " finest going horse he ever saw." Be- 

 ing a light weight, I would always willingly give three hundred rupees extra 

 for a valuable horse, if he had never been mounted. 



A horse frequently pulls up lame from some very trifling wrench or strain, 

 or interfering knock. Halt on the very spot for half an hour, and apply cold 

 vinegar, (a bottle of which should always be taken to the course,) then lead 

 gently home : two days after, you will often find him able to take his canter 

 again, if no subsequent swelling ensues. Further advanced in training, over 

 a hard course, tenderness comes over the feet : poultice for two nights, and put 

 a piece of narrow wax cloth, trebled, between the shoe and the crust : it will 

 remain firm if the crust is rasped level for the shoe. 



