12 
THE HORSE. 
THE RACE-HORSE. 
refuses to limit their growing forms to the Lilliputian standard of 8 st.; and a few only accordingly attain the honours of 
jockeyship. 
The Jockeys, again, form a class of higher importance and rank; the success of the race mainly depending on the skill, the 
coolness, and promptitude, with which they perform their part. The jockey must be of small size, to suit the light weight of the 
modern Turf, while he must possess the physical strength of limbs and body required for his dangerous exercise. His seat on 
the saddle differs from that of the ordinary horseman : he supports himself on his stirrups, and by the pressure of his thighs and 
knees, and throws the centre of gravity more forward than in ordinary riding, grasping each bridle-rein, and holding his hands 
low upon the withers. He rarely moves the position of his hands and body, or if he does, it is imperceptibly, so as not to interfere 
with the pace and stride of the horse. The instrument for urging forward the horse is the spur, used according to the emergency 
and the temper of the animal. The whip is held in the right hand, only to be used when necessary at the final set-to, or ultimate 
struggle, when the arms are raised, and the position of the body changed, so as to produce a temporary excitement in the horse. 
Not only does the jockey consider the temper and capacity of his own horse, but the speed and capability of his rivals, and a part 
of his nice game is to avail himself of the advantages presented to him by the deficient powers of the rival horses, or the faults of 
the riders. His eye is directed to all their movements; while to the observer he seems intent only on the part he has himself to 
perform. He seeks to gain the race, but with no more expenditure of his horse’s powers than suffices for the end. If his own 
horse possesses superior speed, but less endurance, his game is not to urge his rival forward, but to wait until he reaches the 
distance at which he knows his own superior speed will bring him in. If, on the other hand, his horse has greater endurance, 
but inferior speed, he reverses the manoeuvre; he presses his rival to his utmost powers, and trusts to the property which his 
horse possesses to carry him in first to the goal. But when the distance to be run is very short, the artifices must be modified in 
a corresponding degree. In this case, it is important to get the horse the soonest possible on his utmost stretch, so that space may 
not be gained by the rival. No rules, however, can be given to suit all the cases that may arise. There are jockeys so perfect in 
their art, that nearly every thing is trusted to their judgment; but there are numerous cases of others less skilful, as when boys 
must ride on account of the very light weight required, and then specific instructions are given by the training groom, founded 
on his knowledge of the horse, of the ground, and of the capacity of the rivals. There is always on the turf a certain number of 
jockeys of reputation, whose professional services are in continued request. These persons are frequently engaged to ride various 
races in a day, and are often required to make rapid and distant journeys from place to place. 
To adapt the jockeys to the weights required, the process of wasting, as it is termed, is in use. The means used for wasting 
are, abstinence, walking exercise, sweating, and medicine; the degree in which each is used depending on the time allowed, and 
the temperament and condition of the patient. The dress is of stout soft flannel, and generally consists of from two to three pairs 
of drawers, and from four to six waistcoats and jackets, and over all a suit of loose common clothes. The jockey having taken 
some light food, starts early in the morning on his walk. He commences at a moderate pace, which he gradually increases; and 
having gone a distance of four miles or more, he has usually a room prepared, in which he can partake of some warm liquid. 
Having somewhat rested himself, he returns homeward at a smart pace, usually swinging his arms to increase the muscular action. 
Entering the house in a state of profuse perspiration, he takes some warm liquid, and reposes for an hour or more covered with 
blankets : when the perspiration has subsided, he places his feet in warm water, sponges his body, and dresses himself as usual, 
taking care that his clothing is sufficiently warm, and avoiding unnecessary exposure to cold and moisture. He retires to rest at 
an early hour, and rises betimes to renew his walk. Coincidently with this exercise, he observes a strict and abstemious diet: 
his common food is tea and plain toast, with a little animal food at noon. Distilled liquors are proscribed, and the only fermented 
one allowed is wine, and this in the smallest quantity, and largely diluted. Aperient medicines are sometimes used by those who 
dislike severe walking, but never with so good effect as the simple exercise. Under this system, a man can reduce his weight a 
pound or more in the day, without injury to his general health, or temporary impairment of his natural vigour. On the contrary, 
all jockeys admit that they receive benefit from the training process, and that it is only when they return suddenly to a system of 
repletion that inconvenience is experienced. When jockeys exceeding the required weight are in practice throughout the racing 
season, they must keep to this system of diet with extreme rigour. Relaxation even for a single day will increase the weight of 
the body many pounds. A single glass of brandy, by exciting the external absorbents, will undo the effects of seveial days 
wasting. It will appear, then, that it requires no slight degree of self-control in the jockey to maintain, during a period of 
seven months of laborious exercises, a system of abstinence to which the fast of Ramaddan is a jest; and it is not to be 
wondered at that, when his long lent is over, he is too ready to welcome the season of good cheer. It was the piactice of 
Frank Buckle, on the last day of the Houghton Meeting, always to order a goose for supper; and where is the lover of good 
things who might not have envied Frank Buckle liis goose ? 
