IN-AND-OUT RUNNING EXAMINED. 107 
completed that it leaked; to which he replied, “Puddle.” 
This was done, but with little effect, and recourse was had to 
him again. He again replied, this time somewhat peevishly, 
“Puddle, puddle.” In the end, by following his laconic 
advice, the defiant nature of the work was satisfactorily over- 
come. I can only recommend any one aspiring to train a 
racehorse to keep this anecdote in view ; for gallops added to 
gallops will often complete that which less work would have 
left undone. 
This, I think, must conclude my direct reference to the 
subject at present under consideration. But before proceed- 
ing to another, it will not be inappropriate to glance at two 
matters cognate to it; that interesting puzzle, in-and-out 
running; and, secondly, the system of preparation favoured in 
America—from both of which inferences may, it is hoped, be 
drawn that may help us a little. , 
On the former head it may be allowed, at the outset, that 
horses are not always in the same condition of health. Could 
we correctly ascertain the state of their health, at given times, 
we should be much assisted in coming to a fair conclusion 
as to their real merit, and should satisfactorily conclude the 
reason of many, otherwise unaccountable, defeats. It is 
equally certain that horses may and do improve, in a manner 
which no amount of vigilance can detect or skill account 
for. Moreover it is an indisputable fact, proved beyond all 
manner of doubt, and intelligible enough to any thinking 
man, that horses get ill unobserved by the most observant 
of all observers ; and whilst so, that no man can calculate 
to what extent they are affected by such illness. 
I will illustrate this by the instances of two of the most 
remarkable horses I think I ever remember in one year, and 
emphasise their performances by contrast with those of others. 
