336 RACING. 



has bt-en continued for from two to four weeks, according 

 to tlie condition of the horse, he has his first sweat, which ia 

 given b J galloping him moderately, under heavy clothing ; 

 if it be desirable to greatly reduce any part of the body 

 in particular, as, for instance, the neck or shoulders, these 

 parts are more heavily laden with blankets than the rest 

 of the body. Immediately after the perspiration has be- 

 gun to flow freely, the horse should be well scraped, and 

 then rubbed dry, by four boys working as rapidly as pos- 

 sible. During the first preparation an occasional shoii 

 gallop is allowed, to vary the monotony of the work, but 

 it must be only a very gentle one ; and toward the last 

 these may be somewhat increased, if the horse is evidently 

 in condition to bear the extra work without being put 

 back in his training. The sweats are continued at inter 

 vals during the whole time of the first preparation, this 

 matter being decided by the trainer from his knowledge 

 of the character of the horse. Light doses of physic are 

 also given, from time to time, as they may be required. 



During the second preparation, the feed, which was 

 eight quarts of oats per day at first, is raised to ten quarts ; 

 the sweats are more frequent, and the gallops are more 

 frequent and more severe, the object being to improve the 

 wind as well as the legs and muscles. 



In the third or final preparation, the work is made more 

 severe, the feeding is managed with the utmost care, being 

 small in quantity and highl}^ nutritious. The water, as 

 well as oats and hay (all of which must be of the very best 

 quality), should be given in such a way as to produce the 

 best results. 



The stable must at all times be kept scrupulously clean. 

 Every circumstance which can possibly have an influence 

 on the condition of the horse is taken into the account, 

 and faithfully regarded The sweats, at first, are gross 



