DETAIL OF WORK 187 



summer, say eight miles in the morning and four in the 

 evening, varied every second day or so by a couple of 

 miles trotting, or a slow canter for half a mile now and 

 then. In fact, the work should not exceed gentle hacking. 

 On commencing the second month, the trotting may be 

 stopped, and slow cantering up to one mile substituted. 

 This work ought only to take place in the morning, and 

 should be gradually lengthened. The speed of the canter 

 ought only to be just sufficient to keep the horse out of 

 trot, or perhaps a very little more. During this month, 

 no clothing should be put on at exercise, for the weather 

 will be still very warm. On no account should the horse 

 do more work than, in the morning, a slow canter after 

 an hour's walking; and, in the evening, nothing more 

 than a four or five mile walk. The morning work should 

 be completed, and the horse back in his stable, before the 

 sun is well up. 



On finishing the canter, the horse should be pulled up 

 very gradually, so as not to strain his fore legs or hocks, 

 and not until he has gone a couple of hundred yards 

 beyond the winning-post — if on a race-course. He may 

 then be turned round towards the inside, and trotted to the 

 rubbing-down shed, where he is scraped and rubbed down 

 (see p. 166), or he may be walked home. 



These canters may be given two or three times a week. 

 On two other days, the monotony of the work may be 

 broken by taking the horse out in the country, and then 

 trotting, cantering, and walking him by turns for eight or 

 nine miles. This will keep him fresh, and in good spirits ; 

 for he appreciates an " outing " and change of scene just 

 as much as we do ourselves. 



