i86 TRAINING IN INDIA 



the average style of Australian we have in India, taking 

 for granted that he continues sound and in good health. 

 If a horse in training has a soft constitution, or has infirm 

 legs, I must leave the trainer to exercise his own common 

 sense to provide for the varying circumstances under which 

 the uncertainty of horse-flesh may place him. 



Detail of Work. — To proceed to the routine of 

 trainiDg, one should first consider what length of time the 

 horse has to get fit in before running. If there be five or 

 six months, they may be divided into two periods, namely, 

 preparatory work for about a couple of months, and the 

 remainder actual training. 



Before commencing any work, the horse may get the 

 following alterative ball : — 



Barbadoes aloes ... ... ... 2 drachms. 



Nitre 3 „ 



Tartar emetic 1 drachm. 



Treacle enough to make a ball. 



But if he be gross, or with not the best of forelegs to 

 stand the work necessary to reduce his system, a physic 

 ball (of four drachms of aloes and two of ginger) should 

 be given. Before administering the medicine, the corn 

 should be stopped, and bran mashes substituted for a 

 couple of days. 



I think the morning, say about nine o'clock, is the 

 safest time to give a ball to a horse, and that there is then 

 little chance of his becoming over-purged during the 

 night, when help cannot be readily obtained. 



The first month's exercise may consist of walking for 

 a longer distance than the horse has done during the 



