CHAPTER XII. 



IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ASSISTANTS — TRAINING STABLE 

 SHOULD BE PROPERLY CONDUCTED — ADVANT- 

 AGES OF SOUTHERN CLIMATE IN WINTERING 

 HORSES — SUGGESTIONS ABOUT FEEDING — HOW 

 TO CARE FOR TENDER FEET — USES OF THE 

 SPRING — IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE TEETH 

 IN GOOD CONDITION. 



AS NO general, however much ability he might 

 possess, ever won a battle unless he had com- 

 petent men under him, so it is that no trainer, 

 however competent he may be, can properly condition 

 a stable of horses for racing unless he has competent 

 assistants. I have been very fortunate in the assist- 

 ance I have had, especially since coming to Village 

 Farm. Mr. Ben White, who has been my chief assist- 

 ant for several years, is a young gentleman of the 

 highest promise. He is intelligent, patient and care- 

 ful, and at all times a gentleman, and I predict for 

 him a most brilliant career in his chosen profession. 

 The groom is a very important factor in the success of 

 aracingstable, and anyman that learns how to care for 

 his horses as he should, and does his work well, de- 

 serves just as much credit for the success of a race as 

 does the man that trains and drives the horse. An- 

 other important matter I desire to impress upon the 

 minds of beginners, and it might apply with equal 

 force to some of the more experienced, is that loud 

 talk, profanity, vulgarity and obscenity have no proper 



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