60 THE TRAINING GROUND. 
to prevent its being heavy in wet: such for example are 
many of the South Downs in Sussex and those about 
Salisbury Plain. The extent should in a great measure depend 
on the number of horses likely to be trained on it, and should 
always be too big rather than circumscribed ; for when it is 
the latter, continual galloping on the same track spoils it, 
and the horses are more likely to become lame. Moreover 
a change of ground is in other ways beneficial for them. 
Plenty of scope you must have or you cannot train for a long 
course ; besides, the walking ground should be distinct from 
the galloping ground. It is necessary to have two or three 
pieces of half and three quarters of a mile in extent, and in 
addition, space for gallops of a mile,a mile and three quarters, 
or two miles, or even longer, straight, is requisite for prepara- 
tion for long courses. If you have not this your horses 
will suffer, as you cannot have them gallop round a circle as 
in an amphitheatre. 
We are told that pedestrians when in training are made to 
do most of their fast work uphill—a clear proof that it is 
considered far preferable to running down. It is a system 
that cannot be too closely followed with the race-horse. 
Horses might be trained by galloping uphill only; but if 
only permitted to gallop downhill would never be got fit. 
There is no objection to an occasional steady gallop over 
undulating ground ; but the fast work should be done uphill 
or on level ground. It is necessary too, that the galloping 
ground should be nearly straight, not angular, or the pace 
cannot be kept up all the way ; a matter often necessary, and 
especially in trials. 
In the preparation for spring engagements, the horses cut 
up the ground and spoil it for summer use ; it is necessary 
therefore to have entirely distinct courses, which should be kept 
