THE BEST SEASON FOR PREPARATION. 79 
made fit to run a long course without the aid of galloping 
the distance, or, indeed, by steadily doing a shorterone. The 
eccentric and facetious Mr. T. Oliver, senior, used to say he 
could get a steeple-chaser fit to run two miles, without a 
gallop, by walking and trotting exercise only ; and it is the 
opinion of a celebrated trainer of the present day, that a 
horse has only to gallop a mile and a quarter to make him fit 
to run for a four-mile race. After what I have stated, I need 
scarcely say this is not my opinion; nor have I seen anything 
in the running of the horses so trained, to induce me to alter 
my ideas on the subject in the slightest degree. 
These are some of the contrasts of methods which years 
have brought about, and are sufficient, it is hoped, for the 
purpose of illustration; and we may therefore proceed to 
consider the process of preparation, as it is carried on in 
the present day with horses of different ages. 
As regards the season of the year best fitted for preparation 
—all horses should, if possible, be prepared in the spring, with- 
out regard to age or sex, as the ground is then soft, and they 
can be got fit at less risk of injury to the legs than when it is 
hard. The following is a summary outline of the work to be 
done in the spring and succeeding months, until winter 
brings once more the time of rest, putting a stop to all 
exercise but on the straw bed. 
Commence, as I have said, as soon as the state of the 
ground will permit, minimising the work when it is dry, at 
which times the horses not immediately wanted to run may be 
rested, with gentle exercise only. If the drought be of long 
continuance, a dose of physic may be given before going into 
active work again. This will keep them from getting too 
big, and has been the means of bringing many an animai to the 
post fairly prepared, when so much could not have been 
