TRAINING CIRCUS HORSES. 255 



"A first-class groom has to be, in fact, something of a vet- 

 erinary surgeon. There are really few accidents to the circus 

 horse when one considers the work he has to do. 



" We have horses here that have been in training for ten 

 years. The ring work is not particularly wearing upon them 

 when they become accustomed to it ; it is the traveling around 

 the country that tells on them most. At the same time they 

 get the best treatment. The food given them is of the first 

 quality. 



" I have trained horses that Mr. Barnum, Mr. Bailey, and 

 others have valued at $5,000, simply because of their training. 

 Such a horse must be good blood. 



" You might think a horse trained for the ring and kept in 

 it year after year might lose any speed he might have had, but 

 we have horses here now that we used in the ring work that 

 could trot a mile in 2.35 to 2.45." 



