better to blow them out an easy mile the day before 

 the race. I think it is very injurious to most horses 

 not to give them any fast work in four or five days, 

 then take them out and give them three or four fast 

 heats, especially horses that are good feeders. After 

 the horse is in condition, he doesn't need very much 

 work between his races, three days before his race 

 three slow heats are sufficient. The day before the 

 race go a mile in 2.40. 



In the early part of a horse's work I do not think it 

 advisable to bandage much nor use leg or body wash. 

 I do not think it best to rub the horse too much; it makes 

 him sore and irritable, and causes him to lose flesh. 

 When the horse comes in from his work throw a light 

 blanket over him and take a dam.p sponge and sponge 

 his legs and rub them with a cloth a little, then scrape 

 the sweat out of his hair. Straighten his hair with cloths, 

 and throw the blanket over him again ; you will be gov- 

 erned by the weather as to the weight of the blanket. 

 Walk him fifteen or twenty minutes, then take him 

 in, rub him again very lightly with the cloths five or 

 ten minutes, blanket him again and walk him twenty- 

 five or thirty minutes, then he is ready to do up, if 

 the work has not been very strong ; but if it has, it will 

 be necessary to spend more time on him. After he 

 has been rubbed out and cleaned thoroughly, wash 

 his feet and sponge his legs. Dry them thoroughly 

 with the cloths, give him a little water at different 

 times, as he is being cooled out; after he is finished, 

 give him all the water and hay he wants. The day he is 

 worked out lightly, he should have a cold mash for his 

 dinner; three quarts and a half of oats and a quart of 

 bran, with just enough water to dampen the bran. 

 The day he gets repeats or strong work he should 



123 



