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HOUSE 
 
 PORTRAITURE: 
 
 EMBBAOIKO 
 
 BBEEDING, REARING, AND TRAINING TROTTERS, WITH THEIR MANAQB- 
 
 MENT IN THE STABLE AND ON THE TRACK, AND PREPARA- 
 
 TION FOR RACES; INCLUDING HISTORIES OF 
 
 THE HORSE AND HORSEMEN. 
 
 WITH AN APPENDIX 
 
 CONTAIN INO THE 
 
 DESCRIPTION OP DEXTEB AND A PORTRAIT BY SCOTTi 
 
 BT 
 
 JOSEPH CAIRN SIMPSONS. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 GEO. E. WOODWARD, PUBLISHER 
 
51 
 
 
 t-v^v 
 
 % 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by 
 
 W. A. TOWNSEND & ADAMS, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Soatbern 
 
 District of New York, 
 
 Stereotyped by Smfth & MoDougal, 82 & 84 Beekman St 
 
To 
 
 B^on. J'AMUS G^AJ^T, "Davenpori, lowa^ 
 
 and 
 M. S. ^AT^ICKy Usq., Chicago y nUnois: 
 
 This work is dedicated, in token of the esteem in 
 
 which they are held by the author, who enjoys 
 
 their friendship, and has been benefited 
 
 by their advice and counsel. 
 
IlfTTEODUOTIOI^. 
 
 I PRESENT tliis, the pioneer work of its class, to the 
 public, with both trepidation and confidence. Aware 
 of the many faults in construction, style, and the 
 manner in which the ideas are conveyed, I claim the 
 leniency of my readers, and can only advance the 
 plea, that as no writer, more scientific, polished, and 
 practiced, had attempted the task, the errors of a 
 novice in hterature would be overlooked and excused, 
 that would meet with severe criticism in a Veteran 
 Author. This book has been written in the hours 
 intervening between the morning's drive and the 
 evening's walk ; and when the rigors of winter put an 
 end to active training, the labor of composition, and 
 care of the horses, about equally divided the time. 
 
 The practice recommended to be followed in these 
 pages, in order that a horse may acquire condition 
 
2 INTEODUCTIOK. 
 
 and learn to trot fast, I offer with confidence. The 
 treatment advised is no pet theory, but the result of 
 jears of practice, when the effects of any change in 
 the work was anxiously watched for and carefully 
 noticed. The system, as here exemplified, I have 
 found the best that has come under my observation, 
 and I do not hesitate to rest my name as a horse- 
 man on the award of those who will give it a faith- 
 ful trial. 
 
 The chapters on sweating, food, and drink are not 
 offered as being scientifically correct in a veterinary 
 view. The want of a medical education would have 
 prevented me from writing such a treatise, if I had 
 been ambitious to do so ; but the results deduced 1 
 know to be correct from the practical tests of every 
 season's experience in training horses. 
 
 Should this effort meet with the favor and support 
 of the pubHc, I will be encouraged to follow the plan I 
 have sketched, and continue the history of the trial 
 stable in the journey from New York westwardly, 
 through the main places to the Mississippi, and down 
 that stream to New Orleans, describing the manage- 
 ment when on the steamboat or railway car, with the 
 care necessary to keep the horses in condition while 
 traveling and frequently trotting in races, accompanied 
 
INTEODUCTION. 3 
 
 with descriptions of scenery, coiu'ses, &c., and inci- 
 dents illustrating turf sports. 
 
 The reasons why I have broached subjects other than 
 breeding and training are the same that would induce 
 a person not to work a favorite colt entirely on the 
 track. Allowing him at intervals to jog through shady 
 lanes, where the hawthorn would shower its white 
 blossoms on his glossy coat, and by the sea-shore or 
 the river-bank, where the ripple of the wavelets would 
 moisten the hoofs parched on the dry, hard gravel, 
 he would return with new life, and knock off a few 
 seconds from the time it had formerly taken him to 
 accomplish a mile. And so the writer felt refreshed 
 after wandering, and returned to the dry details of 
 training, in better spirits and with a keener zest, to im- 
 part what knowledge he possessed to those who join 
 with him in enthusiastic admiration for " a fine horse 
 and a fast trotter." 
 
 JOS. CAIEN SIMPSON. 
 
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SUMMAET OF OOI^TEI^TS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAOI 
 ISTBODUOTOBT. — Arrival of the " trial stable " 13 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 Description of Never Mind. — Merits and defects in his form. — Cutting his quar- 
 ters. — Naming horses. — History and description of Jane. — Proper manner of 
 driving. — Guarding against striking the knee. — Contrivance to prevent a horse 
 from striking, &c 19 
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 
 Poor feeders, probably caused by want of food when young, the stomach never 
 recovering from the injury. — Camp life. — Smoking. — Old method of travel, 
 ing with race horses. — Preceptor examines the Falcon. — His description of 
 him. — Finds him nearly his ideal of a model roadster. — Pupil recounts his 
 history up to that time. — Bad driving. — Debt to the Falcon acknowledged. — 
 A home on the Mississippi 27 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Patience required to teach a horse to trot. — Different breeds of trotters. — The 
 pleasure there is in rearing fine colts. — History and description of Clipper. — 
 Admixture of French blood promotes higher action. — Dangers of a bolter. — 
 Best plan to drive one. — Contrivance that might be of benefit to stop a horse 
 from "flying the track." — Manner of handling a horse in a break. — The ap- 
 pearance of the horses shows that they have been well wintered, being in pro- 
 per order to commence work. — Preceptor's remarks on wintering trotters. — 
 Proper way to feed, and what the food should consist of. - Location of stable. — 
 Picture of a fine natural situation for a breeding farm. — The kind of stock to 
 breed from. — Examples of pedigrees. — Treatment of the colts, weaning, win- 
 ter quarters, food, &o 43 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Breeding farm continued. — Description of the house, and grounds surrounding 
 it. — Ornamental planting. — Out buildings.— Yards. — Further treatment of the 
 colts the first winter. — Brood mares, their quarters, food, and treatment dur- 
 ing pregnancy. — The stallion used on the breeding farm. — A western prairie. — 
 Advantages possessed by Iowa for breeding fine horses 6!) 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 PAOB 
 
 History of the colts in the trial stable. — May-day. — Hirondelle. — Disadvantages 
 of a half-mile track for training. — Width of track.— Importance of a horse 
 learning to recover from a break without swerving. — Best soil for a track. — 
 Mavourneen.— Oriole. — " Four white feet and a white nose." — Lexington and 
 Sallie Waters. — Lexington at the St. Louis Fair. — Clamor about horses break- 
 ing. — Advantages gained in teaching a horse to go without breaking. — King. — 
 Pedigree and description. — ^Wildness when a colt. — Failure of knee straps .... 76 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 Bemarks about May weather. — The beauty of the American climate contrasted 
 with that of England.— The walk to the blacksmith's shop. — A trainer's prac- 
 tice of giving his horses hard work.— Walking.— The reasons why horses are 
 walked in training. — The benefits and damages from carrying it too far. — 
 Amount of clothing required when walking. — Remarks of the Preceptor on 
 shoeing.- The plan he formerly followed. — The system adopted, and the reasons 
 for the change.— The swedged shoe, and a "low hold" for the nails.— Proper 
 form for the hind shoe to guard against cutting the quarters. — Preparing the 
 foot to receive the shoe.— Tlie wall of the foot only, allowed to be cut.— Black- 
 smiths not to be permitted to do a " finished job " by rasping the outside of 
 the foot. — The weight of Never Mind's shoe, and the precautions taken 
 against " grabbing." — Snatching a horse when in a break the frequent cause 
 of cutting the quarters and striking the knee. — The evils of a short mar- 
 tingale. — The reasons for wearing a light hind shoe. — Diflference between shoes 
 and plates, and the effects of weight in the shoe on the action of the horse. — 
 Making the sides of the shoe of unequal weight. — The reasons for so doing. — 
 Treatment recommended for injury to the knee from having been struck. — 
 Loss of a fine colt from the shoeing inducing the lock-jaw 
 
 CHAPTER Vm. 
 
 Hot ley to a punctured foot a preventive of lock-jaw. — Importance of stable 
 management to forward condition. — Division and arrangement of the horses. — 
 Grooming. — Can be carried too far. — Value of a good groom. — Sweating 
 facilitates the removal of the dandruff.— Arrangement of the stalls. — Fur- 
 niture and necessary articles, and how to take care of them. — Rules to be ob- 
 served by the stablemen. — Qualification and encouragement of the boys. — 
 Instance of cruelty in a groom. — Hair mittens — IIow to rub a horse. — 
 Material for rubbers. — The wisp. — Skewers, and their uses.— Bandages. — 
 Thoroughbreds for trotters.— The use of bandages.— Wet and dry bandages. — 
 When the legs are swollen, how they should be applied. — Reasons for employing 
 wet bandages — How to apply a bandage. — Uses of, when a horse is at e.xerc'se. 
 — Benefits of pressure to reduce swelling. — Clothing. — The quantity to be 
 used. — The kind needed for sweating. — Care of the clotiiiug —Decoration. — 
 Order and sobriety essential in all those who are employed in the stable. — 
 Necessity for condition in race horses imperative. — The effects of sweating 
 must be studied.—" Washy " and " baked " horses. — The setting muzzle 105 
 
CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Indigestion. — Eclipse and Henry. — Tlie epicure. — Speckled troui. — The mode 
 of cooking them in the woods. — A straight bit in a horse's mouth compels 
 him to masticale his food better. — Kepler's story. — Breeding farm resumed. 
 —Field for the yearlings. — Short herbage the best. — Feeding during the sum- 
 mer. — Salting. — Haltering. — Examination of the feet. — The horn to be kept 
 in a proper shape. — Corn as food for colts. — A variety of grain recommended. 
 — High feeding, prejudices against it.— Instances of longevity in thorough- 
 breds that have been well nurtured. — American Eclipse. — His great age. — 
 Training two-year-olds. — Capacity of the well-bred one to stand work. — The 
 fastest Cesarawitch. — The winner. — Mr. Sykes, a half-bred. — Letter from an 
 American breeder in England. — His astonishment at the size of the colts. — 
 Age of imported horses. — Instance of great speed in a trotter for a quarter of 
 a mile. — His inability to " stay." — Reasons for the withdrawal of horses from 
 the turf when young. — Betsey. — Malone. — Charmer. — Training stable on the 
 breeding farm. —The location, and ground plan, showing the arrangement of 
 the stalls, walk, and alley. — Description of the arrangements, and method of 
 taking care of the provender and grain. — Capacity in cubic feet of the upper 
 story. — Foreman's room.— Books, pictures. — Material for building. — Cost. — 
 Guards against dampness, &c 119 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The evening walk. — The benefit Clipper's legs would have derived from blister- 
 ing. — Iodine recommended to be given him. — Bandaging and wet sponges. — 
 Eemedies for swollen legs. — Remarks on walking. — Necessity for discrimina- 
 tion. — Time required to get a horse in condition ^The three stages of pre- 
 paration. — The amount the horses eat in the first stage to be increased as they 
 progress. — Routine of feeding, work, and duties during the first stage, with 
 the time they are to be fed, watered, and exercised. — Where to commence the 
 walk. — Its effects on the muscles "Working with colts. — The fight at the quar- 
 ter race. — Shakespeare's description of the horse of Adonis. — "Speed gives 
 bottom." — SjTnmetry of form a quality of the blood horse. — Colt stakes. — 
 Danger of working them on a hard track — Colts playing in a pasture-field 
 taking more exercise than would be required to prepare them for a 3 in 5 race. 
 — Colt races more interesting than those of hackneyed performers — Starring. 
 — Hippodroming. — Mercury 136 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The importance of good weather for horses to acquire condition. — Their work 
 should be given if the weather is unfavorable. — Horses cannot be conditioned 
 without work. — Directions for working in the mud. — Effects of moisture on the 
 feet. — Injury done with the knife and rasp. — Govermental aid solicited to 
 further the improvements of horses. — Argument in favor of a donation by 
 Congress. — The necessity for better horses for military purposes. — General 
 Grant at the Illinois State Fair.— Naming a colt.— Quotation from the "■English 
 at Home." — Female loveliness, and race horses. — The horse and civilization. — 
 Stable tricks. — Crib-biting. — Weaving. — Pawing. — Dislike to go through a 
 doorway. — Kicking the sides of the stall. — A stall that cured a kicker 148 
 
Viii CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 PAQB 
 
 Building a track on the breeding farm. — Tlie form, a parallelogram connected 
 with semi-circlea. — Eeason for plowing it deep. — Form of a track scraper, and 
 manner of using it. — Track harrow. — Brush for sweeping the track. — How to 
 make it. — Prairie soil an admirable material.— Fencing.— Close board. — Wire, 
 with growing cottonwood for supports. — Breaking the colts the fall after 
 they are a year old. — Details of the method employed. — Lessons to be given 
 before they are put in the shafts. — A practical exemplification. — The cruelty 
 of the old plan of bitting.— Forming a mouth — AUonging. — Breaking the 
 
 check. The Kemble Jackson check. — Commands to be distinctly given and 
 
 rigidly enforced Style and fast trotting compatible. — Horses to be closely 
 
 watched to apportion the feed rightly. — Teeth to be looked after 161 
 
 CHAPTER Xm. 
 
 Bits. — Snaffle. — Bar. — Chain. — Leather Curb — The snafHe, the best adapted 
 
 for all horses of any one pattern. — Necessity for frequent changes to find out 
 which suits the best. — The injury done to colts' mouths with the old appli- 
 ances. — The chain bit can be made very severe. — Pulling horses. — Patents for 
 controlling them. — ^The only cure is not to puU at them. — Chiffney' s slack rein. 
 — Not " taking hold of the bit." — The reason why they do not — The bearing 
 rein in the education of the trotter. — The Kemble Jackson check. — The 
 advantages of the check and driving bit being distinct. — Illustration of the 
 effects of the head check. — The weight differently distributed by elevating the 
 head, as shown by experiments of French veterinarians. — When the Kemble 
 Jackson should be used, and when avoided. — AUonging with a small rope. — 
 If proper care is observed, there is no danger to the feet and legs. — Instance 
 where a curb bit was of benefit — Trotting on Michigan Avenue. — Carrying 
 the tongue out of the mouth, a large leather bit often cures the habit — Soreness 
 of the angles of the lips, wash for it. — Contrivance to keep the bit in the lower 
 part of the mouth. — Pulling on one rein. — Harry Hieover's advice. — Callosities. 
 — Retrospect of tlie training. — Time to recuperate. — Inertness of the muscles. 
 — Food. — Fat forming necessary. — ^Walking exercise. — Roman bath. — Pirec- 
 tions for working the colts, &c 175 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The return of the Preceptor from his country jaunt. — His description of Silver 
 Lake and the residence of his friends. — The Falcon is harnessed, and driven 
 by the Preceptor. — He is delighted with him. — Instructions for working. — 
 Difference between the track and road. — Never Mind is harnessed. — A habit 
 of backing. — How a mare was treated " that would not stand for a person to 
 get into the wagon." — Breaking King. — The mode adopted — The work the 
 colts have had. — Green food, and bran mashes. — The benefit of allowing a 
 horse to pick grass. — Van Leer's method. — May-day, her form and action. — 
 The ERt of her hocks and hind legs influencing her gait. — Cutting between 
 the coronet and upper pastern joint. — tlow to remedy it. — The way a horse 
 moves hia feet iu the trot and gallop Speedy cut. — Delle Nervousness.. . . 189 
 
CONTEN"TS. IX 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 PA OB 
 
 Preceptor relates his manner of life in the country — Description of Mr. P 
 
 and his daughters 207 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Oriole and Mavourneen. — A sylvan pictui-e. — A love for the beautiful not in- 
 compatible with training horses Necessity for a liberal education. Incipient 
 
 lameness often shown by a change in the walk A divided nail in a horse's 
 
 foot. — Less liability to accidents from the present system of shoeing. — Never 
 Mind's ni.anner of walking — The probiible cause. — The necessity for sweating 
 him. — Commencement of his preparation for the sweat. — Physic. — Reasons for 
 not using it. — How it acts. — Lassitude following it — How to get rid of super- 
 fluous matter without purges. — The more a horse eats the more work he will 
 require. — ^The study of Hippopathology. — Remedy for looseness of the bowels. 
 Colts scouring. — A homoeopathic prescription. — Cruelty of quacks 21T 
 
 CHAPTER XVn. 
 
 Harnessing. — How to harness a trotter. — The bad effect of the martingale being 
 too short. — ^The method of different drivers to recover a horse from a break. — 
 The Preceptor's plan. — Horses pulling when scoring. — The advantage of "get- 
 ting away from the score" well. — Remarks about driving Jane. — Governing the 
 
 temper A moment of passion may render nugatory the teaching of weeks. — 
 
 Messenger blood in Maine. — Driving on the ice. — How to shoe for ice driving. 
 — Care of horses when driven in the winter. — Trottiug on the Chicago river. — 
 An exciting race. — "A runaway" 229 
 
 CHAPTER XVIH. 
 
 The after-dinner smoke. — Further remarks on the martingale. — Harry Hieover's 
 and Carl Benson's views. — Running and standing martingales. — Importance of 
 
 the first lessons Pulling horses, and those that are easily driven. — Fashion.— 
 
 Miss Foote. — Launcelot. — Blinders. — The proper adjustment of bridles. — 
 Cleaning and preparation of feed. — Mixing hominy and oats. — Horse commis- 
 sary department. — Oats, hominy, corn, and bran. — Oatmeal and sago. — The 
 amount of bran on oats, barley, and wheat. — Tlie effects of corn on " washy 
 horses" 245? 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Regularity in exercising — ^The work of Never Mind on the day preceding the 
 sweat. — Conversation on sweating. — The objects of sweating. — Relief to the 
 respiratory organs — Benefit to the muscles. — Horses not liable to "bake" 
 
 when this plan of sweating is followed The action of the heart and lungs 
 
 during fast work. — Greater increase of respiration than arterial action. — Dif- 
 ference between a fat horse becoming tired, and one in condition. — Powers of 
 recuperation. — The diaphragm. — Fat within the chest. — How fat impedes the 
 action of the heart. — Change in the blood. — Its passage to the extremities. — 
 Gretting rid of the watery particles. — Oily matter in the per.spiration. — Sub- 
 traction of the fatty globules probably makes the blood easier to propel. — 
 Rhythm of the pulse and step. — Lungs, heart, muscles, and digestive organs, 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 PAOB 
 
 all benefited by judicious sweating. — Expansion of the chest. — Intercostal 
 muscles. — Modificn,tioiis of sweating. — Injury to the lungs permanent. — Fat, 
 where deposited. — Change in the muscles from work. — Roman bath. — Increase 
 in the size of the muscles as the fat is wasted. — The local effects of sweat- 
 ing. — Illustrations.— Benefit of a well shaped neck. — Strain of the loin. — In- 
 terval between the sweats. — "Drawing" a horse. — Long and short races. — 
 Seasoning. — Effects of scoring. — Inducing perspiration between heats. — How 
 to induce perspiration. — Manner of clothing. — A race where the favorite was 
 beaten, probably owing to suppressed perspiration 256 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 An adventure in St. Louis — Intricacies of sweating. — Decarbonization of the 
 blood through the pores of the skin. — Purifying the skin. — Constant grooming 
 produces soreness. — Dandruff. — The effects of sweating on the skin. — The 
 veins of the thoroughbred prominent and large. — Insensible perspiration. — 
 Black Maria. — Mr. Stevens' training stable. — Advantages of scales to weigh 
 horses after the sweats. — Haney's Maria. — Improvement in tracks, horses, and 
 training. — Difference between sweating colts and old horses. — Not so necessary 
 to reduce colts. — Mash previous to sweating. — How to make it. — Remarks on 
 driving and shoeing May-day. — Directions for feeding Never Mind the night 
 before the sweat 280 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 The morning of the sweat. — Temperature. — The management when postponed. — 
 Muzzling. — Bedding. — Other material than straw. — Advantages of sand. — 
 "Wallowing bed." — Never Mind's walk. — The preparation. — How he was 
 clothed. — Guards against injuring himself. — How to prepare the drink. — The 
 work he received. — Management in the stable. — Inducing a free flow of 
 perspiration. — How to prolong it, and when to stop. — Scraping and rubbing. — 
 Adjustment of the clothes. — Restriction in his drink, and the reasons for it. — 
 The walk after the sweat. — His appearance, final care, and how to feed. — 
 Reasons for putting additional clothing on, when first brought into tlie stable. 
 — The manner of sweating will vary as the preparation proceeds. — Driving Jane. 
 — Breeding trotters. — The teachings of the past. — Messenger. — George Wilkes, 
 Dexter, and General Butler. — ^The Pilot family. — Andrew Jackson. — Jupiter. — 
 Eysdyk's Hanibletonian.— Tabular pedigree.— His in-breeding. — Hambletonian's 
 Andrew Jackson and One Eye. — Crosses of Messenger in the Falcon. — The 
 Hanibletonian, and American Star cross. — Cassius M. (Jlay. — Geo. M. Patchen. 
 — Wm. T. Porter's description of Abdallah. — Mr. Morris' certificate of the 
 blood of Mambrino. — Ariel, her exploits. — Tabular pedigree showing her in- 
 breeding to Messenger 294 
 
 CHAPTER XXIT. 
 
 Danger of smoking in the stable. — Care of Never Mind. — Loose boxes and stalls. 
 — Horses should not be disturbed. — Injury to the elbow while lying down. — 
 Remedies. — (Jharles Lamb. — Quotation from the Turf Rcgiater about Mes- 
 senger. — Partial histiu'y of him. — Di.ssoniination of blood in the North-east. — 
 Trotters of the oldon time — Paul Pry. — Further consideration of the Mes- 
 senger blood. — Goldsmith marc. — Major Winfield. — Squire Bingham. — Sir 
 Archy. — Planet. — Bonnie Scotland. — Horse Heraldry 312 
 
CONTENTS. Xi 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Pedigree copied from an advertisement. — The importance of the weather in 
 training operations. — A "green horse." — Pleasure and disappointment. — Train- 
 er wrongfully hlaraed. — Jealousy. — The work the day after the sweat. — Signs 
 showing thiit the sweating was not overdone. — Directions for driving the Fal- 
 con and Jane. — Precepts to he enforced in breaking horses. — Mental power. — 
 Clipper. — Firing. — Percival's remarks on firing. — May's performance in new 
 shoes. — Changing the ground surface of horse's feet. — Directions how to pro- 
 ceed with the horses for the ensuing three weeks' work. — Sweating, feed, 
 bandages, rattles, &c 329 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Day-dreams. — Scotch character. — An old nurse. — The food of horses in training. 
 Hay. — Corn blades. — Straw. — The best hay. — How to determine it. — The time 
 to cut. — Mowburnt hay. — Corn blades, their advantages, and how to feed 
 them. — Effect of diet on the respiratory organs. — Lord H. Seymour's stable in 
 France. — The uses of straw as food, when training. — Prairie hay. — Prairie on 
 fire. — Immunity from heaves in horses that are fed on prairie liay. — Objections 
 to it. — Thick and thin seeding. — Table of relative value of different kinds of 
 food. — Stemming corn-blades. — Pulling hay. — Time for feeding hay. — " Crav- 
 ing" and delicate horses. — Oats. — Proportion of carbon and nitrogen in oats. — 
 Light and heavy oats.— The qualities they should have, and how to test them. 
 — Corn. — Bran. — Lindseed-meal. — Oat-meal. — Sago. — Sago when horses are 
 "baked." — Number of feeds in a day. — Time of giving them. — Green food. — 
 The benefits of it to horses in train. — Cutting grass, and grazing. — New way to 
 give horses excercise. -Watering horses after driving. — Directions for driving 
 Never Mind 344 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Letter from Chicago. — Pupil recounts the work he has given the horses in the 
 absence of the Preceptor. — Driving wlien the rattles are worn. — Knee action 
 increased by driving on sandy roads. — Effects of snow on colts. — AUonging. — 
 Sherry wine between heats. — When it should be given. — Water. — Rain, river, 
 and spring water. — Danger of change of water. — Airing. — Temperature. — 
 Acidulating. — Light feeders to be encouraged to driuli. — The amount to be 
 given. — Frequency of watering. — Gruel. — Sponging mouth and nostrils: — The 
 difference in sweating the Falcon, and Never Mind. — Sweating Jane. — Instruc- 
 tions for driving. — The work for the next two weeks. — Minute directions for 
 the management for that period. — Capacity of swallowing 363 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Cutting the quarters. — How to dress the wound. — Horses should not go out too 
 early in the morning. — Preceptor examines the Falcon. — Remarks on his condi- 
 tion. — How to judge of a horse being iu order. — The appearance of horses 
 w'Jion in condition. — Pupil gives a history of the work the horses have had for 
 the past three weeks. — Preceptor's couiinents. — Errors iu Pupil's management 
 of Never Mind.— The benefit of trotting horses in races to further their condi- 
 
XTl CONTENTS. 
 
 pac;h 
 
 tion. — The Preceptor's ideas of the best form for a model roadster. — " Points," 
 
 and why a particular form gives superiority. — Nerve force. — How to detect it. — 
 Action. — The natural action a horse should have to make a trotter. — Long and 
 short horses. — Driving colts. — How they ought to be worked, sweated, &c... 378 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Walking in the dew. — Hoof ointments. — Cracked heels. — How. to dress them. — 
 Glycerine, and its uses. — Driving the Falcon, with instructions from the Pre- 
 ceptor. — Care after the dx-ive, and bow he is to be treated in the future. — The 
 race, the best school to teach horses to trot. — How to manage a "dark 
 horse." — Tlse work of Never Mind. — How to drive him to keep him oflf his 
 quarters, and manage him in a break. — Galloping a horse with a trotter. — 
 Driving Jane. — Her speed and length of stride. — Short and long striding 
 horses. — The stride of horses, with diagrams showing the position of the feet 
 in the trot and gallop. — Length of stride explained. — Advantages of measuring 
 strides so as to know the reasons for a falling oS in speed. — May's trial.— 
 Necessity for further care that she does not strike her pastern. — Skill more 
 effectual in managing a horse than physical strength. — Running away. — The 
 order horses should be in when commencing a campaign J 400 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Trials.— Weather and track favorable for making fast time. — The way the horses 
 were prepared for the trial. — The Preceptor recommands changes. — Time re- 
 quired for digestion. — Clipper's legs. — Symptoms of "breaking down." — Ef- 
 fects of weight. — Qualifications of a driver. — Trial of the Falcon. — Directions 
 for driving. — Difference in the appearance of the sweat. — Instructions for driv- 
 ing Never Mind. — His first mile. — Scraping him on the track, and the reasons 
 for doing so. — How to drive him in the repeat. — The time made. — His dis- 
 tress. — How to recover him. — The after care. — Preceptor's instructions how to 
 feed, work, &c., tiU the morning of the race 416 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Never Mind, trots in a race. — Minute instructions for driving. — M.anagement be- 
 fore the race. — The treatment between the heats, and the care after it is 
 finished. — The manner of feeding, making a mash proper for a horse to eat 
 after a bard race.— Boots, &c 430 
 
 APPENDIX 
 Dexter. — His Measnrement and Description. 4W 
 
 Index ,45» 
 
HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 IKTBODUCTOKY — ^AKRIVAI, OF THE "TRIAL STABLE." 
 
 Pupil. — Good morning, my esteemed Tutor. You per- 
 ceive I have taken you at your word, and have come with 
 my whole family, bideps and quadrupeds, to avail myseK 
 of your kind teachings. Nature smiles on the commence- 
 ment ; I never remember a morning when everything 
 looked more gay and cheerful. A choir of birds in every 
 tree, making melody such as you cannot hear where gas 
 pollutes the air, and the caller air exhilarating like cham- 
 pagne, the very poetry of breathing. Look at that black 
 thoroughbred, the one with no ear pieces to his hood. He 
 is teUing you, as plainly as though he was gifted with 
 speech, that he enjoys it, and wants you to know it. He 
 is a physiognomist, and the first glance at you told him 
 that you knew the next most difficult thing to a woman, 
 a horse, as old Sam Weller says. Look at the beaming 
 of the hazel eye, the expression of the long, slim ears — it 
 would be a sin to cover them with ear pieces — the exten- 
 ded muzzle and expanded nostril inhaling the aerial treat, 
 while his eye enjoys the beauty of the scenery. But I do 
 not want to tire you at the outset ; so come to the stable, 
 where I will introduce to you the pupils of your pupil, 
 
14 HOESEPOETKAITURE. 
 
 telling you wliat is not apparent, history, pedigree, con- 
 stitution, tricks, &c. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — When I made you the promise of teaching 
 you my craft of managing and training trotters, I hardly 
 expected you would give me so good an opportimity, for 
 I should judge, from the looks of your string, that you 
 had nearly a specimen brick of ah kinds, and I will wager 
 a dozen of wine that I can give a good guess at their 
 different natm-al quahties. What they have acquired 
 from bad teachings would be harder to tell. Let us move 
 to the stable, where we will become more particularly 
 acquainted. Looking at a horse in his clothes is a good 
 deal like telling what a book will be from knowing the 
 author — you have a notion of his ideas ; and you can see 
 a horse's eye^a gi-eat part of the animal, for I never 
 knew a good one that you could not see something of his 
 character in the eye. Yet the spirit and will may be there 
 without the capabihty of performing : that you have to 
 judge of from the form and muscular development. 
 
 Trotters "go in all forms," as well as runners. 
 
 There would have been more truth in the proverb if it 
 said a variety of shapes all tending to the same model. 
 Some time I will acquaint you with what I consider the 
 best form for a roadster ; and what is more enjoyable than 
 a drive, such a morning as this ? A good horse, Hght, 
 easy running wagon, with the road smooth, so that you 
 can let him "g-long," and work off the superabundance 
 of animal spmts that the fresh air you speak of gives a 
 horse, as well as those birds that are giving vent to theirs 
 in joyous song and animated flight. For youngsters hke 
 you, a gallop may be more congenial to the hot blood, 
 but when you arrive on the shady side of fifty, then the 
 smooth running wagon is the thing. 
 
 Pupil. — Fond as I am of mounting the back of a 
 
DELIGHTS OF THE ROAD. 15 
 
 thoroughbred, and galloping over verdant turf, every 
 bound of the horse sending the blood dancing through 
 my veins, — as different from the sluggish stream in the ar- 
 teries of the votaries of fashion, as the mountain brook is 
 opposite to a Mississippi bayou, — yet I can enjoy the de- 
 lights of the road as well as my elders. A bright morn- 
 ing ere the dew is off the gi-ass ; the sun's rays gilding 
 the eastern slopes of the hills ; and you jog along listening 
 to the measured footfall of your horse, musical in its 
 cadence. Half a dozen miles are accomplished nearly in 
 half an hour, when you hear what appears like the echo 
 of your steed's tramp. One ear is thrown back, the five 
 minute gait is changed to something faster, a sharper 
 hold is taken of the bit. You are hardly aware of the 
 cause for the change, until some one pulls out for you, 
 and away you go, neck and neck ; the grade is httle des- 
 cending, and the weight of the one hundi-ed and thirty 
 pound buggy is not felt. Steady, my boy, you have got 
 him skipping, he leaves his feet and is pawing frantically 
 in the air. You slide away a few lengths, and take your 
 horse in hand ready for another brush. This is the excite- 
 ment of the morning drive. In the evening the pair is 
 harnessed ; this time you have a companion, perhaps a 
 friend with whom you talk horse, the salient points of 
 the last race, the relative qualities of the roadsters you 
 are both acquainted with, the benefit of a strong dash of 
 blood for the road as well as for the turf, &c. The halt 
 at the frequented horse hotel, arguments as to which of 
 the quadrupeds under the shed is the fastest ; the friend- 
 ly match for a few hundi-ed to test it on the Fashion 
 or Union, and home again, with something else to think 
 of than the rise or fall of gold, stocks or grain, or smooth- 
 Lag out a furrow or two made by what you think may 
 turn out a bad investment. Or, in place of the friend who 
 talks horse, your companion wears Number Three gaiter 
 
16 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 boots, a jaunty bonnet, witli a stray curl for the wind to 
 toss away from the "cheeks like lilies dipt in wine." You 
 can hardly recall what has been said, but you never will 
 forget the thrill, as the tapering arm was placed on yours, 
 as you let them speed along the smooth road ; and then 
 in the winter — the same partner, a "duck of a sleigh" — 
 but hold, I am running away with myself, and have al- 
 ready said enough to convince you that I am as enthusi- 
 astically fond of a dash on the road, as a saU in the 
 pigskin. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — Both are good ; and though I have grown 
 grey and old in the profession, as you may term it, of 
 training horses, yet the same feelings come over me as 
 when young, and I am only kept from showing them, for 
 fear of the invidious remark of "what airs that old fool 
 is putting on." Years are not the true test of age. For 
 instance — you will pardon the comparison, but the horse 
 is so intimately blended with my feehngs I cannot help 
 it — when you see some veteran of the turf whose youth 
 and prime were a series of hard contests, led out of 
 the stable, how hard it is to believe he is what would be 
 termed old. Cui-viug his neck and proudly caracoling, 
 he has more sense than to be ashamed of his youthful 
 feelings, but his master — while acknowledging his sense 
 — is ashamed of copying from an animal that he stigma- 
 tizes with the name of brute. Without wishing to recall 
 what I said about the smooth running wagon, there are 
 times I would dehght in a gallop that would stir the 
 blood. There is enjoyment for me in rapid locomotion 
 that I cannot well explain, and I have often envied the 
 Englishmen their exciting sport of fox-hunting, which 
 young and old follow with so much zest. My only 
 acquaintance with it is from reading, and the enthusi- 
 astic reports of those who have taken part in the di- 
 version. Yet I fancy there is more pleasure in it than 
 
APOEMBYBULWEE. 17 
 
 any one but an ardent horseman would imagine from 
 hearing the most %ivid account of some celebrated rvm. 
 There is a little piece of 2>oetry, written by one of the 
 titled sons of that country whose boast is that it sur- 
 passes all others for beautiful woman, fine horses and 
 grand trees. I read it more than a score of years ago for 
 the first time, and have read it so often that I still know 
 every word of it. I will repeat it, but my rehearsal will 
 not do it justice. It may not even be good poetry, I do 
 not claim to be a judge of what the critics would call 
 good, stiU it is fair to presume that what pleased me so 
 well, wUl have some charms for you: — 
 
 Come forth, my 'brave steed — the sun shines on the vale. 
 And the morning is bearing its balm on the gale, 
 Come forth, my brave steed, and brush oflF as we pass, 
 With the hoofs of thy speed, the bright dew from the grass. 
 
 Let the lover go warble his strains to the fair — 
 I regard not his rapture, and heed not his care ; 
 But now, as we bound o'er the mountain and lea, 
 I'll wave, my brave steed, a mild measiu-e to thee. 
 
 Away and away — I exult in the glow 
 Which is breaking its pride to my cheek as we go ; 
 And blithely my spirit springs forth as the air 
 Which is waving the mane of thy dark flowing hair. 
 
 Hail, thou gladness of heart and thou freshness of soul, 
 Which have never come o'er me in pleasure's control — 
 Which the dance and the revel, the bowl and the board, 
 Tho' they flush'd and they fever'd, could never afford. 
 
 In the splendor of solitude speed we along, 
 
 Thro' the silence but broke by the wild linnet's song; 
 
 Not a sight to the eye, not a sound to the ear, 
 
 To tell us that sin and that sorrow are near. 
 
 Away and away, and away then we pass — 
 The blind mole shall not hear the light foot on the grass ; 
 And the time which is flying, while I am with thee. 
 Seems as swift as thyself as we bound o'er the lea. 
 
18 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 Pupil. — Yoxir declamation, I think, is superior to the 
 poetry, while the subject is one that will stir the blood 
 like the sound of a trumpet. The author, Sir E. Lytton 
 Bulwer, has won a world-wide reputation by what he has 
 written — some of it certainly inferior to that. Still I am 
 pleased that you recited it to me. I have read it, but 
 was rather disappointed, looking for something superior 
 from the talented author. Your recital was like Sir 
 Walter Scott's acting a warlike, Scottish ballad — when, 
 with walking stick in rest and brent brow, he looked the 
 very impersonification of ':he ancient knight he knew so 
 weU how to portray. I shall always think you out of 
 place sitting in the sulkey, "hick, haying" and making 
 aU the uncouth noises imaginable to encourage your own 
 horse and distiu-b your adversaries ; but here we are at 
 the stables. Ho ! boys, take the clothes off. Lead out 
 your horses. 
 
CHAPTEE II. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF " NEVEK MIND " AND " JANE " — NAMES, 
 DRIVING, ETC. 
 
 Pupil. — Here is one raised "away down" m Maine. 
 Wlien three years old, lie was taken to the fruitful soil 
 and more genial climate of Illinois. Showing at times a 
 great deal of speed, but generally single footing, and 
 hitching, with other disagreeable qualities that severely 
 tested the patience of his owner. One year he was placed 
 in the hands of a man who had some celebrity as a trainer, 
 but he utterly failed to improve him. In fact, he was 
 worse than ever last fall, not being able to trot square a 
 step, having been ingloriously beaten by a horse that 
 could not trot better than fifty. I saw him two or three 
 times while in this man's hands, and fancied there were 
 several reasons why he had not done better. From some 
 slight irritation in his throat, he is frequently troubled 
 with a cough which was set down as heaves. He was 
 strictly confined to prairie hay, selecting that in which 
 there was the most resin weed. This being a powerful 
 dimretic, affected his kidneys. Being in fine order and 
 high spirited when the trainer first commenced driving him 
 he became timorous, and feared his running away. This 
 led him to give him more severe work than he ought to have 
 done. A great share of this work was given under clothing, 
 heavy blankets, hoods and wrappers, till the poor animal 
 was reduced to a mere skeleton, looking Hke some veteran 
 
20 HOESE POETEAITUEE. 
 
 four-mile race horse, at the close of a hard season's cam- 
 paign. He actually reeled in his walk, and I fancy he has 
 never overcome the habit, and still walks as if he was 
 strained in the loin. 
 
 His sire is said to have been thoroughbred, and from 
 his appearance he is undoubtedly possessed of a good deal 
 of breeding. I am very sangToine of his going fast, and 
 hope, under your guidance, not to be disappointed. 
 
 Preceptok. — There is certainly nothing in his form to 
 prevent him, and if his education has always been of the 
 kind he was tortured with last summer, and he displays 
 speed at times, we will give him a " fair show," trusting, 
 by proper management, to overcome the faulty tuition, 
 and take the crook out of the bent twig. His shape is 
 certainly good, more so than the average of our fast ones; 
 his neck and shoulders are very fine, his barrel first-rate, 
 with good hmbs. The worst points I see are a slackness 
 about the loin, and narrowness of the head, betokening a 
 foohshness which will require careful handling not to 
 augment. The white stripe hghts up his face, animating 
 his countenance, relieving it in a great measure from the 
 bad effects that would otherwise be apparent from the 
 narrowness of the skull I spoke of. I agree with you that 
 he shows a good deal of blood, which is all that probably 
 saved him through the ordeal of blankets and rugs, 
 scrapers and rubbers. I see from the scars, he has been 
 grabbing his quarters, and I should judge he had some 
 pretty severe wounds. This may have occurred from 
 faulty shoeing or bad driving. Very few horses properly 
 shod and handled wiU cut themselves., though there are 
 exceptions. I have known several thn,t nothing would 
 avert the blow, save the best of boots made by Gibson, or 
 some one equally well versed in the manufacture of that 
 part of horse equipments ; but that and shoeing will come 
 more appropriately as we progress. What name do you 
 
NAMES FOR HORSES. 21 
 
 call this high-headed brown ? We will mutually have to 
 know all their various cognomens, in order to understand 
 which one we are talking about without circumlocution. 
 
 Pupil. — "Never Mind." No disrespect intended, for 
 this horse is called Never Mind. The nomenclature of 
 horses is something that might be greatly improved. I 
 do not offer this as the result of my efforts in that hne, 
 and some other time will explain. We are too much 
 given either to name horses after our acquaintance, until 
 one is at a loss to know whether the biped or quadruped 
 is meant, or follow some celebrity till the names are mul- 
 tiplied in the register, and we are equally puzzled to un- 
 derstand which of the many wearing the same title is in- 
 tended. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — As a general thing the English are more 
 happy in the christening of their horses than we, though 
 Lord George Bentinck, and others, " not near so smart," 
 gave some of them names that were neither appropriate 
 nor poetical, as "All 'round my hat," " Here I go with an 
 eye out," will testify. Yet, in a majority of cases, their 
 flyers have possessed very good ones, as Harkaway — that 
 grand horse, unfortunate in being in the possession of 
 one of the guerrillas of the turf. Beeswing, t'auld mare, 
 whose defeat at Newcastle made strong, sturdy coal 
 miners weep like children ; but they were not often called 
 on to mourn in this way, she winning fifty-one races out 
 of sixty-four starts, a feat — or rather succession of them — 
 unparalleled in sporting annals ; Touchstone, the progen- 
 itor of hundreds of winners ; West Australian, marking 
 an era by his triple victory, to be repeated by the colt 
 bred under the sunny skies of France. Old Queen Mary's 
 daughter, Bhnk Bonny, and grandson, Blair Athol, carry 
 yOu to the blooming heather and bonny braes, where you 
 can smell the perfume of the birk and hawthorn, where 
 the gowan and the modest primrose are peering above the 
 
 2 
 
23 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 grass on the burnside, the Hntwhite and mavis singing in 
 the glen. 
 
 True, we have had Bonnets o' Bhie, Flirtilla, Cassandra, 
 Lady Lightfoot, Peytona, Charmer, Idlewild, Timoleon, 
 Pacolet, Grracchus — all very good names, which cannot be 
 said of Creath, the pronunciation of which caused almost 
 as much discussion in this country as the famous IKonea 
 controversy did in England ; Joe Blackburn, Geo. M. 
 Patchen, Ked Bill, Hornblower, Red Oak, &c. 
 
 How happy Peytona must have been, when her name 
 was changed from GlumdalcHtch to th.e proud one the 
 winning of the $150,000 stake entitled her to wear. Un- 
 der the former she never could have beaten the peerless 
 Fashion, that vindicated her claim to be the top of the 
 mode by re-conquering the Victrix, after being in a " little 
 better fix." 
 
 PopiL. — I am well pleased to find that others have been 
 giving this matter thought as well as myself, and when we 
 come to the babies I have brought to commence their 
 schooling, will be much obhged to have you assist me in 
 giving them names they may wear with honor to them- 
 selves and pleasure to us. This lengthy bay mare I sim- 
 ply call Jane. Her hfe, Hke Never Mind's, has not been 
 one of strange vicissitude, but a sameness of bad manage- 
 ment that would have made human subjects incoiTigible. 
 When I first got her, it was claimed she was by G-leucoe, 
 her dam by Bertrand, the mother of Andy Bui-t. Her 
 glossy silken coat, strong muscular development, and 
 high life, corroborated the statement ; but her eyelids 
 are heavy, her pasterns short, her shoulders rather too 
 upright, while her mane and tail has a wave, almost a 
 curl, that always caused me to doubt the truth of this as- 
 sertion, and on making inquiry found that on her mother's 
 si ie alone she could claim aristocratic lineage. 
 
 In a conversation with Mr. Frank Harper, of IVIidway, 
 
HISTOETOF^JANE." 23 
 
 Kentucky, he iBformed me tliat he was her breeder, that 
 her dam was by Bertrand, left with him by a man who 
 had emigrated to the Pacific slope. Her sire was a 
 French Canadian pacer owned by him. She was bought 
 by a gentleman, who, after making a fortune in business 
 in Cincinnati, bought a large farm in that beautiful coun- 
 try that surrounds Madison, Wisconsin, erecting fine 
 buildings, and stocking it with animals that cost a " heap 
 of money." Unfortunately, he had not sufiicient knowl- 
 edge of either farming or stock breeding to make either 
 pleasant or profitable. After spending all he had made 
 in fine buildings and foohsh experiments, — as an illustra- 
 tion of which I was informed that in one season he grew 
 one hundi'ed and sixty acres of carrots ; his large cellars 
 were filled, new ones made, but they would not hold a 
 quarter of his root crops alone — ^his stock and farm were 
 sold. 
 
 He commenced teaching Jane to trot when she was 
 three years old, driving an old trotting mare, and leading 
 the colt behind the wagon. She was broken very easily, 
 proving kind and tractable, but when aroused possessed 
 of a very high temper. 
 
 He built a track, and employed a man who represented 
 himself as being a competent trainer. The farm by this had 
 become very irksome, and most of his time was spent in 
 Chicago and Detroit. The self- recommended man proved 
 not only worthless as a trainer, but a drunken loafer. 
 His horses, of course, felt the effects of his bad temper, 
 engendered by bad whiskey. This animal got to pulling, 
 and finally ran away every time he attempted to drive 
 her. As a proof of her sense, the gentleman's wife could 
 drive her with perfect safety, which she did whenever she 
 wanted to enjoy a di-ive on the banks of the clear lake 
 which skirted their estate, taking her children with her, 
 and feehng perfectly safe. When sold, she was only 
 
34 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 driven slowly on the road, as whenever started to speed, 
 her pulling propensities returned in full force, and it 
 took a strong arm to restrain her from running away. 
 Again she went into the hands of a trainer of trotting 
 horses. This man brought her home in a couple of 
 months with a knee enlarged to twice its natural size ; 
 her mouth torn to pieces with severe bits, and a jaded ap- 
 pearance, as though she had been towing a canal boat the 
 whole summer. 
 
 I heard she was ofi'ered for sale at a low figure, and 
 succeeded in pui'chasing her. I have " great expecta- 
 tions" that, under your judicious directions, she will yet 
 prove a good animal. I must own I am going to put 
 your skill to a very severe test, as I have none but those 
 who have been very badly handled, or young things that 
 we can only surmise whether they will trot or not. To 
 return to this mare's pecuHarities, her gait is the reverse 
 of the brown horse's, square as a brick, with a long open 
 stride. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — I like the appearance of Madam Jane very 
 well. She has evidently a fund of strength that can be 
 made available for either good or evil. With proper 
 teaching she would have been ignorant of exerting it to 
 our prejudice. Now we will have to depend on gaining 
 her affection, so that she will have the same confidence in 
 us that she had in the lady who had the temerity to intrust 
 her own and her children's lives to a horse that had ever 
 run away. There is a subtle fluid, magnetism we will call 
 it, between the horse and driver, the reins being the me- 
 dium through which it is conveyed. How angry I be- 
 come when I see a big brute tugging away for dear life at 
 these leathern straps, his body braced as if a yoke of oxen 
 were hitched to him to pull him from his seat, yelling at 
 the top of his voice, self-satisfied that he is an expert. 
 The horse has ten times more sense than he, and has 
 
PEOPER MAKNER OF DRIVING. 25 
 
 learned that he must pull against the bit still harder, to 
 stojD the circulation of the blood in the sensitive bars, 
 numbing them till the torture is unheeded. After a while 
 the deUcacy of feeling is gone, large calluses are formed, 
 and the horse becomes perfectly useless. The knife is re- 
 sorted to, the " bags" are cut out. A brief respite, while the 
 ugly wounds are heahng ; then again to be tugged at and 
 spoiled. The reins should be handled as if they were a jDart 
 of the animal endowed with sensitiveness, which would be 
 destroyed by a continuous pull. A slight motion of them 
 shifting the bit has often a magical effect in rousing the 
 horse, when whip and spur would fail. This mare must 
 be driven as an accomplished reinswoman would drive 
 her. Light must be the touch, and no continual exertion 
 of strength should be permitted. Her running out, the past 
 winter, has probably restored her mouth to its normal 
 condition. I will contrive a way she can be exercised 
 without danger of her running away, tiU she will no 
 longer want to. 
 
 I notice there is still an enlargement of the knee which 
 must be reduced, or there will be more hkelihood of her 
 hitting it. Her formation is such that she ought to trot 
 without touching. Like grabbing the quarters, it may 
 have resulted from defective shoeing or bad driving. 
 When it arises from natiu-al action, it is one of the worst 
 defects a trotter can have, and is generally caused by a 
 wrong set in the elbows. We cannot change structural 
 gi'owth, but we can modify the effects of it by a httle dif- 
 ference in shoeing, making the outside of the shoe a trifle 
 the heaviest, increasing or decreasing the whole weight 
 of the shoe, cutting away part of the iron, and rasping 
 the corresponding part of the hoof. I once cured an 
 inveterate " knee knocker" by making him wear an in- 
 strument similar to what hatters use to stretch their hats. 
 This machine was confined between his fore legs and 
 
20 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 against his breast, by a strap running from the girth to 
 collar. It was covered and j)added to prevent chafing, 
 placed on him when he commenced walking, in the spring, 
 every day or two, lengthening the screw which gradually 
 increased the distance between his knees as he travelled. 
 He was kept at walking exercise for a couple of months, 
 when he was jogged with the instrument on, till he finally 
 acquired a different " way of going," and never hit his 
 knees again while I had him. There are as many differ- 
 ent patterns of boots to obviate this, as there are trainers 
 or harness makers, each of whom claims his own to be the 
 best. 1 have a perfect museum of all the varieties, which 
 I will show j^ou at some leisure time. 
 
 Pupiii. — Here is a black thoroughbred. 
 
 Preceptok. — " Not a word an' you love me," scholar. Let 
 me look at him without a word or gesture to interrupt. 
 We wiU now go to breakfast ; when we return I must 
 again examine him. I want no clue to his quahties, pedi- 
 gree, performances, till I have a good look. 
 
 Pupil. — All right. I was afraid I was tiring you with 
 my disquisitions. I feel decidedly Uke doing justice to 
 the pattern breakfast we will get at this snug hostelrie. 
 We are of right particular about providing the sweetest 
 old hay, blades, oats, hominy, bran, carrots, &c., to keep 
 our horses in good health, and should certainly be as care- 
 ful of ourselves. 
 
CHAPTEE III. 
 
 FEEDING — CAMP LIFE — "FALCON" — THE IDEAL OF A MODEb 
 ROADSTER. 
 
 Preceptor. — You were right that we would get an en- 
 joyable breakfast. It is a favorite meal with me, as my 
 general custom is to spend an hour or two in the open 
 air before partaking of the matutinal entertainment. The 
 weather has to be severe, indeed, that confines me in- 
 doors, and I never need a morning cup to give me an 
 appetite, which I always indulge by eating plenty of the 
 bounties our mother Nature has so plenteously provided 
 for us. It is a difficult task to get a horse in order that 
 is a delicate feeder, and I am inclined to think that nine 
 in ten which trouble us by mincing over their feed, re- 
 fusing to eat more than a quart or so at a time, owe this 
 bad habit to rearing. Many think when the colt is 
 weaned it is able to take care of itself, turning it out in 
 the barn yard to fight for every mouthful of hay it gets, 
 with older colts and all of the horned cattle of the farm. 
 It manages to Hve through the winter and that is all. 
 When the spring comes, it is turned out as soon as the 
 grass shows green. There is less sustenance in the short 
 watery blades than even the straw possessed, which had 
 been its principal food through the winter. The stomach 
 loses its tone, and ever after is weak, not having the 
 muscular strength to properly prepare the food in it, or 
 gastric jnices sufficient to form the healthy chyle that 
 
28 HORSEPORTRAITURE. 
 
 produces the blood. The stomaeh needs exercise to teep 
 it healthy as much as the Umbs. Every one recognizes 
 the fact that unless the gi-owing animal has an opportu- 
 nity to work them they will shrink away, but think that 
 by making- the colt "rough it" it will be hardier and more 
 serviceable when its work is needed. However, the 
 question of food will present itself as youi- horses are put 
 in train, when we will discuss it in all its bearings. 
 
 Pupil. — No doubt it will be as important as anything 
 there is for me to learn. 
 
 Here is a cigar, which I will vouch for as being one of 
 the best. I had it in a present from a friend who delights in 
 keeping the best specimens of the Virginia weed. From 
 long habit I prefer the pipe. The same kind fi'iend al- 
 ways keeps me supplied with the most fragrant killi- 
 kinick, which he superintends the manufactui'e of him- 
 self, selecting the very finest specimens of leaf, and is as 
 scrupulously carefiil in the process of making and flavor- 
 ing, as the old alchemists were in the preparation of the 
 elixir of life. If he were still in business I would be 
 tempted to give his address, so that all genial lovers of 
 the tranquillizing herb would know where to get their 
 supphes. 
 
 My fondness for a pipe was acquired by hving in the 
 woods through the summer. For many years I was en- 
 gaged in sTirveying the mountainous section of Pennsyl- 
 vania, where, twenty years ago, there were imbroken 
 forests twenty miles in extent. For weeks we would 
 never enter a house, but camp where night overtook us. 
 The camping-gTound was generally selected by the side 
 of a swift running brook or crystal spring. Oui* supper 
 ended, of speckled trout or venison broiled on a sticl , 
 with plenty of strong coffee that had a finer aroma than 
 ever Turcoman drank on tapestried divan. The bed is 
 made of the fine boiighs of the hemlock ; piled so high 
 
DELIGHTS OF TOBACCO. 29 
 
 that there is a downy sensation as you sink in the ira- 
 grant herbage. Now pull off your boots, Hght your pipe 
 and enjoy it. The stars are twinkhng overhead, as if they 
 had come nearer earth, looking hke diamonds amid the 
 sombre branches of the white pine towering a hundred 
 and fifty feet above you. The camp fires throw a lurid 
 light on the rocky banks of the httle creek, whose waters 
 are lulHng you with their gentle cadence, as they glide 
 over a miniature Niagara. The laurel i^,nd creeping yew 
 look like the ivy on some old ruined castle wall. Puff! 
 The talk of Sydney Smith or Sheridan would be a bore. 
 You see visions brighter, fairer, rosier, than ever did the 
 inspired author of the Ancient Mariner, and you fall 
 asleep in that pure air to dream of stiU brighter fanta- 
 sies. No doubt that smoking injures many a young man 
 confined all day to a close counting-room, spending his 
 evenings at the billiard haU or club, but to one whose hfe 
 is mostly out of door, with exercise enough to engender a 
 weary feeling at night, the moderate use of tobacco is 
 certainly beneficial. 
 
 After carrying a knapsack containing thirty or forty 
 pounds of provisions, a heavy compass, climbing hiUs, 
 that rise with no gentle inclination, twelve or fifteen hun- 
 dred feet above the rapid, rushing river at their base ; 
 stopping at noon time only long enough to eat a cold 
 bite ; forcing your way through laurel swamps and tama- 
 rack thickets, impenetrable save to the skulking wolf and 
 thick-coated bear, then the tobacco is a wonderful solace, 
 and the best proof that it works no injury is the refreshed 
 feehng you awake with next morning, conscious that 
 there is no reasonable task you could not perform. 
 
 I look back on those days with a satisfaction I can 
 hardly express, and have' such a vivid recollection of 
 every hill, intervale and stream, that without the help of 
 compass, I could, after the lapse of twenty years, tr^ce a 
 
30 HOESE POETEAITURE. 
 
 line run at that time, and find every corner erected or 
 witness tree marked on thousands of acres. 
 
 Preceptor. — Without being quite so enthusiastic in my 
 devotion to tobacco as I find you are, I enjoy the per- 
 fumed breath of such a cigar as this. Yoiu" friend, the 
 donor, who cares so well that your pouch be well filled, 
 has my hearty thanks. Yowc camp life I know something 
 about. In my boyhood's days I was with a stable of race- 
 horses ; at that time there were no raiboads forming a 
 net work of iron all over the country, and we had to 
 travel our horses from race-course to race-course, often 
 long joui'neys of hundreds of miles. It was rare that we 
 found proper accommodations to pass the night, so we were 
 prepared, like surveyors, to stop where our convenience 
 dictated, or when the horses were thought to have walked 
 far enough. A pair of mules was harnessed to a big 
 wagon, in which was loaded hay, corn blades, oats, corn, 
 bran, meal for bread, bacon, groceries, a hand-mill to 
 prepare hominy, with all the necessary appendages to a 
 race stable ; we generally selected a pine forest to camp in, 
 and the first business of us boys, was to gather the long 
 pine leaves to form bedding for ourselves and horses. 
 The ground would be thickly covered with them, so 
 that it was no very long task. The cones were also plen- 
 tiful, and of them we made fires, heating water to wash 
 legs, whenever the trainer said hot water should be ap- 
 plied. The horses cleaned, legs rubbed, we prepared our 
 own supper, and much as the breakfast we have just 
 eaten would merit praise, the recollection of the fried 
 bacon, corn-bread, and coffee drunk out of tin cups, 
 comes back to me as being relished as well as the delica- 
 cies I am now most given to Hke. It was a much more 
 arduous task for the trainer of that day to keep his horses 
 all right than at pruscnt. A rainy night and we had no India 
 rubber covers to keep out tlie moisture, but we used tliicl; 
 
THE MODEL EOADSTEE. 31 
 
 cotton, like sail-cloth, whicli answered a very good pur- 
 pose. Our horses were " worked " so hard that the deli- 
 cate ones were soon got rid of ; though I think, with the 
 improved handHng of the present day, many, rejected as 
 wortliless, would have proved very difl'erent animals, and 
 as often winners as those whose temper enabled them to 
 stand the severe driUing which they got. My cigar is 
 nearly ended, so we will bring this conversation to an 
 end. I am anxious to have a good look at that black fel- 
 low that so took my eye at first sight. 
 
 Pupil. — Here we are back to the stable ; one of my 
 rules is never to smoke in the stable, or suffer any one 
 employed there to do so. Visitors, of course, have to be 
 tolerated in the bad practice. Boy, bring out the Falcon. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — All right, boy ; give him his head ; I want 
 to look at him from a distance first. Turn him partly 
 around. Now run alongside of him across the yard ; 
 come a little faster as you approach me ; that will do. 
 
 Well, scholar, I told you that sometime I would gi^'e 
 you my idea of model roadster, and there stands nearer 
 my ideal, than any I have yet seen. Before going into 
 detail of his form, I will engage to make a trotter of him, 
 no matter how much he has been abused in his training. 
 I make this promise not only from the fine action he 
 exhibited while trotting across the yard, but from that 
 peculiar head, ear, and eye, that all show sense. Horses 
 have just as many degrees of sense as men, and Daniel 
 Webster's "dome of thought" never more palpably 
 showed his superiority over the majority of mankind, 
 than does this horse over his compeers. His head is 
 large, yet you would not find enough meat on it to furn- 
 ish a pet kitten with his supper. Look how the clearly 
 cut nostril is just extended enough to discern the edge olf 
 the pink lining. There is an India rubber look about it 
 that shows the orifice can be enlarged so as to admit all 
 
32 HOESEPOKTRAITURE. 
 
 the air necessary to feed the lungs. The jowl appears as 
 if carved, widening till you can thrust your clenched 
 hand easily between the sharp jawbones. There is a cor- 
 responding widening of the forehead, giving plenty of 
 room for a large brain, not alone the source of wisdom in 
 a horse, but the centre of the nerve force, that wonderful 
 something which we cannot explain, but which as surely 
 enables the horse to do " great deeds of gTcat renown," 
 and places him far above his kind, as it supplies the hero 
 with tlie stimulus that renders him immortal. The clear 
 hazel eye, lustrous as a gem, shows his sagacity ; and the 
 long thin ears placed just as I would have them, are per- 
 fection. How daintily the head is set on the neck ; you 
 could span the neck if it were detached from the throttle, 
 which so nearly fills up the space between the jaws. 
 Were it not that the neck is so perfectly formed, it would 
 appear too long, but the crest rises so beautifully that it 
 requires the length to give it such a graceful curve, while 
 the depth it displaj^s, where joined to the body, shows a 
 >inion of strength and lightness, admirable in its just pro- 
 portions. The breast has the rabbit formation, usually 
 seen in the fixst-class race-horse. The shoulder blade 
 ises well to the top of the wither, is broad, sloping, and 
 falls back into the sway, just as it ought to, and the point 
 of it is well thrown forward, so that the humerus or upper 
 bone of the leg is oblique. The elbow is properly placed, 
 neither tied in or standing away from the chest ; this is 
 what brings the fore legs so truly under him. As you 
 stand in front of them, they are as true as a hne, slightly 
 converging to bring the feet squarely under the body, 
 and the toes straight. The arm is long, the knee broad 
 and strong, with the bony projection behind well devel- 
 oped. The canon is short, the ligaments large, which 
 gives the leg the flatness so much sought after. The fet- 
 lock joint is roimd, as if turned in a lathe, while the 
 
DESCEIPTION OF "FALCOH." 33 
 
 pastern is long, springy and oblique, so as to take the 
 jar off the delicate bones below, without dropping enough 
 to show any signs of weakness. There is no danger of 
 ring bones or navicular disease in that formation. The 
 feet are of a fair size, with good heels, and horn that will 
 never shell if the nail is placed properly. There is a great 
 deal of truth in the old adage, of " no foot, no horse : " 
 these are not only naturally good, but I must congratu- 
 late you on having kept them so by judicious care. 
 
 This horse is very deep through the heart. When I 
 first saw him I should not have judged him to be over fif- 
 teen hands two inches at the outside. When you stand 
 beside him, you are satisfied that sixteen hands is, if any- 
 thing, below his measurement. The barrel swells out, 
 giving a good length of ribs, which are wide and have the 
 right curvature. The back and loin are remarkably strong. 
 The arch in the back is so high that it does not look as 
 well as if a little lower, but there is a mountain of strength 
 there when connected with the broad loin, braced with 
 fillets as thick as your arm. The hip is long with slope 
 enough. Were it more level, it would give him a jauntier 
 ah", but he would not be as hkely to trot so well. The 
 stifles are low, and placed the requisite distance aj)art to 
 play freely, without being interfered with by the abdomen. 
 The hock is large and so clean that you can trace the ar- 
 ticulation of the joint. The great width of the gaskin 
 arises fi'om the bone, forming the point of the hock or 
 oscalcis, being so long that the tendon comes up a long- 
 way before it is covered by the muscles. What was said 
 about the canon of the fore leg will be appropriate to de- 
 scribe the hind, only the flatness is more apparent. The 
 angles, from the hip to the foot, are just what they ought 
 to be to work the propelling hind legs to the best advan- 
 tage. His muscularity is just what I fancy, long, lean and 
 dry ; they will come as near giving you an idea of perpe- 
 
34 HORSE POETRAITUKE. 
 
 tual motion, as is ia the power of any animal to display. 
 If lie was only a little fuller in the quarters, I beheve I 
 would hke him a very little better, but as they are heavy 
 enough, any thing more would give him a cloddy appear- 
 ance, that would take away from his high quahty. His 
 coat is another mark of his high breeding ; that and his 
 hoofs would convince any discriminating observer, that his 
 claim to blood was well founded. He is not properly 
 black, but dark brown, with tan-colored flank and muzzle ; 
 this I prefer to a horse that is all black. His tail is mag- 
 nificent, " fit for a Pacha's standard," as Willis once re- 
 marked of Lady Suftblk's, but fitter to ornament such an 
 animal as we are looking at. Some would call him too 
 short in the body, but I think, if measured, you would 
 find it equal to his height — the best proportion in my 
 opinion, to unite speed, bottom, and that compactness of 
 form, so essential in a procreating animal, more especially 
 the male parent. 
 
 I have, in this cursory manner, run over the Falcon's 
 chief points. Many, of course, would differ with me as to 
 what conjunction of them forms the best horse ; but my 
 experience has led me to think a horse for fast driving on 
 the road and track, able to keep going, up hill and down, 
 or repeat his heats all day, must approximate the form I 
 have just sketched. 
 
 Ptjpil. — You cannot conceive the pleasure you have 
 given me, listening to the encomiums you have passed ou 
 the animal that I love. Yes, love is none too strong a 
 term to express my feelings for that horse. After family 
 and friends, he has the next place ia my affections ; and 
 in order that you may understand how they became so 
 strong, I will have to acquaint you with part of our — at 
 least, to ourselves — eventful history. 
 
 His place of nativity was Central Ohio, a fine undulat- 
 ing country, which for fine herbage nearly equals the blue 
 
"falcon's" experiences. 35 
 
 grass region of Kentucky. His parentage is unexception- 
 able ; liis sire being Camden, by Shark, his dam a 
 daughter of the northern champion. Postboy, thought, un- 
 til his defeat by John Bascombe, to be the best horse of 
 his day. He grew up a fine colt, taking the premiums at 
 the local fairs, until three years old, when he was taken 
 West by a boy who had no more knowledge of condition, 
 than if he had never seen a horse. He ran him all sorts 
 of races, from a quarter dash to two mile heats. As a 
 specimen of the usage he got, I will relate the following 
 story, which I was assured was strictly true. The boy 
 having got in debt, an attachment was served on the colt, 
 and he was locked up by the Sheriff in a log stable, where 
 he was confined for three weeks. There were some races 
 at a Httle town not very far off, and his owner managed 
 to get him the day before the two mile heat race was to 
 be run. He traveled him to the neighborhood of the race- 
 course, tying him to a tree ; during the night a violent 
 thunderstorm gave him a thorough wetting. He had 
 no rider, and in order to come as near the conventional 
 scale as possible, rode him himself without a saddle ; still 
 he had to carry a hundred and thirty pounds — a pretty 
 severe weight for a four year old, that for preparation had 
 been a strict prisoner for weeks. He made a very good 
 race, and it was the opinion of most who saw it, that had 
 he been judiciously ridden, he would have been the victor 
 as it was. That fall, I saw him on the occidental side of 
 the Father of Waters, and was as much struck with him at 
 first sight as you, thinking him the best formed animal I 
 ever saw. I had long been of the opinion that just such 
 a thoroughbred was the kind to make a number one trot- 
 ter ; but he had changed owners, and I did net succeed 
 in getting him till the spring of another year. At that time 
 I was engaged in land speculations, selecting government 
 lands in Iowa and Missouri, and being successful in mak- 
 
36 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 ing good locations, that I could seU readily at a greatly 
 advanced price, my fancy for horses was only indulged as 
 a pleasant interlude to the excitement of the land gam- 
 bling. When I bought him I placed him in the hands of 
 a trainer, who was reported to be the best in that part of 
 the country. It was no trouble to break him to harness. 
 On the first trial he went round the track hitched to a 
 sulkey, on a trot that was as easy as the flight of a swal- 
 low. There was not much bending of the knee, and his 
 action was so different from the spluttering little Black- 
 hawks and Morgans — then all the rage in that section of 
 the country — that the lookers-on ridiculed the idea of his 
 ever making a fast trotter. I did not see him for several 
 months, having been on an extended tour "land hunt- 
 ing." That fall he trotted at a State Fair, in 3: 05 ; which 
 was certainly as fast, for the time in training, as I ex- 
 pected in my most sanguine moments, but no one else 
 thought he would trot fast. 
 
 In the winter, he ran in a loose box. When spring 
 time came, and the prairie roads got dry and smooth, I 
 commenced driving liim on them. He completely carried 
 me away in a double sense. I thought I had owned and 
 driven road horses very nearly as good as could be found, 
 but I discovered he was so much superior to the best of 
 them, that I took no pleasure in driving any other. 
 Seventy miles a day was play to him, and he hterally re- 
 quu*ed no driving; a word would restrain him when most 
 anxious to go. He never saw anything to shy at, but 
 went along as straight as a line. His excellencies were 
 so manifold, that were I to recapitulate them, it would be 
 tedious. Unluckily, I again let his former trainer have 
 him. The first time he went on the track, he trotted 
 easily two miles in six minutes. The same day I matched 
 him against a Blackhawk stallion for a couple of thou- 
 sands, p. p. The match made a great deal of talk and 
 
"falcon's" history. 37 
 
 excitement in the country, and my man was so anxious to 
 have him trot fast all at once, that he ventured to whijD 
 him to increase his speed. This treatment his high spirit 
 would not brook, and then began the contest between 
 them, but the biped's arms was no match for the quadru- 
 ped's strength of jaw, and when the day of the trot came 
 he was utterly unable to hold him. I had not seen him 
 from the day the race was made till the one prior to it. 
 It was too late then, even to suggest anything, so he was 
 di-iven in a long shanked curb-bit that had purchase 
 enough to break the jaw of a mule. He was easily beaten. 
 I cared not a straw for the money lost, but it was bitter 
 to hear the remarks : — " I told you it wan't no use trying 
 to make a trotter of a race-horse, they aint fit for nothing 
 only to put a little boy on their backs and run over a 
 smooth jjath," with hundreds still more ill-natured. I 
 sent him home, and housed him again in his roomy box. 
 Before the frost went out I started with him for Chicago. 
 He was just as pleasant as ever, and I greatly enjoyed 
 driving him the trip. Again I was unlucky in putting 
 him in the hands of a man who did not understand the 
 nervous organization of the descendant of a long line of 
 illustrious ancestry. He hit him sharply with the whip 
 when driving him down the road that foUows the shore 
 of the beautiful lake, which the Falcon resented by run- 
 ning away. The bit and reins were of no avail to stop 
 him, but on he sped. The prairie was soon passed, and 
 the driver thought of throwing himself out of the 
 skeleton-wagon as they rushed through the timber. At last 
 from sheer exhaustion he was forced to give up his pull, 
 when a few soothing words was sufficient to stop him. 
 The fright, however, deterred the man from getting behind 
 the horse again, and the only exercise he got was from 
 the son of the trainer riding him behind the wagon when 
 his father was driving. I brought him home, thinking it 
 
38 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 was written in the book of fate, that the prophecies of 
 those who were always ready with their " I told you so," 
 were to be fulfilled. That season the great panic over- 
 whelmed the West, leaving thousands, who had thought 
 themselves well oflf, entirely pennOess ; it did not take 
 long for me to reaUze that I was in that poor and desti- 
 tute condition, for after seUing every farm and acre of 
 land I possessed, I was still five thousand doUars behind 
 hand. The house where I hved, and which cost me near- 
 ly ten thousand dollars, one of my creditors took as a 
 great favor to me at two thousand. I built a " shanty " 
 OP some land belonging to a friend of mine, moving thereon 
 m} family, this horse, and two of his colts. The land 
 was entirely unimproved, but was beautifully situated, 
 and laid so that very little expense built a good training 
 track. To attempt training horses with the httle knowl- 
 edge I had of it, was, to say the least, rather presumji- 
 tuous ; but I had nothing else to do, and if my favorilo 
 ever made a mark on the trotting turf, this was his only 
 chance for even a poor education in that useful branch of 
 equine accomplishments. He kept me in good cheer by 
 improving so raj)idly under my teachings, that those who 
 had denied his having the least chance to make a fast 
 one, now acknowledged the possibility of his becoming 
 such. 
 
 I trotted him a ten mile race which he won easily. The 
 stake money he had earned by his services in the stud 
 before he left home, so I was doubly his debtor. The 
 following season he had more business than he could do 
 from March till September ; still after three weeks' pre- 
 paration I trotted him a race of heats of five miles. The 
 first he lost by half a lengih in 14:21 ; and lost it entirely 
 from bad driving on my j)art, for in place of letting him 
 go along as he wanted, I pulled him back, which irritated 
 him so that he worked unkindly the whole of the heat, 
 
"falcon's" peefoemances. 39 
 
 The second he won in 14:33, and the third his antagonist 
 gave out, dead beat on the thirteenth mile, but the slowest 
 he could be made to go the last mile was 3 :20, making 
 the heat in 15:11. At the conclusion of the race it was a 
 difficult job for two men to hold him till he was unhar- 
 nessed from the sulky, not the least distress or even leg 
 weariness being perceivable. The next day I started 
 home with him ; he bowled along the smooth road in 
 such high spirits, that it appeared as if he was elated at 
 the victory he had won, and was determined that no one 
 should think he had anything but an easy task, by hiding 
 the soreness he certainly must feel. 
 
 Never having seen him exhibit any signs of fatigue, I 
 thought I would give him a trial, and for this purpose 
 kept him to work a couple of weeks longer. I then drove 
 him fifteen miles in 44:05, and on pulHng him up, not a 
 leg trembled, or even a long inspiration betokened the 
 least distress. I then concluded to trot him twenty miles 
 in an hour, which I am positive would be an easy task for 
 him to perform, but have now changed my mind, and 
 hope to see him doing his mile " low down in the twen- 
 ties," which I fondly think him capable of, from the 
 bursts of speed he has often surprised me Avith. I shall 
 ask as the greatest favor you can do me, that in lieu of 
 telling me how to drive, you will chaperon him yourself ; 
 I know he will please you when once acquainted. As you 
 remarked about the magnetic fluid traveling from driver 
 to horse, this fellow shows it more than any I ever dealt 
 with. If I got into the wagon ill-natured, he was sure to 
 be cross too. At other times, on a fine morning like this, 
 on arriving at the top of a hill, he would stop without 
 any admonition from me ; I know he enjoys beautiful 
 scenery as well as I do. I have known him stop on a 
 bluff overlooking the Mississippi — his eye would follow 
 
40 HORSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 tlie course of the river for a while, but would finally rest 
 where water, prairie and timber formed a harmonious 
 pictiure that would have dehghted an artist. There was 
 no mistaking the look, or the nod of satisfaction he in- 
 variably gave, as he sprang off in the brisk trot to make 
 amends for the lost time. I told you that next to family 
 and friends I thought more of him than aught else. It 
 may be foolish, weak and wicked, thus to speak of an ani- 
 mal, rating him above, and holding a place in my affec- 
 tions before many created in the image of the Great Archi- 
 tect ; yet when I recount what he has done for me, you, 
 at least, will understand the feehngs that prompt me. 
 From penury and a dark prospect, with a helpless family 
 depending on me as their only means of support, he 
 has raised me to comparative affluence. From a load 
 of debt that would have bound me as with a three-fold 
 cord in durance, that the results of even successful 
 labor would have been unable for a long series of yeara 
 to Hghten, he has freed me. For a pleasant home, where 
 the birds sing in the grand old oaks, where the bee sips 
 the honey from the sweet scented cheiTy and the flower- 
 ing fragrant crab-apple ; where the sun shines so brightly 
 in the windows of a morning, and gilds with refulgent 
 glory the opposite bluffs in the evening ; where the placid 
 river runs so silently to the sea, with wooded islands on 
 its bosom, that look like floating fairy gardens ; where 
 colts are gamboling in the green fields, where peace, con- 
 tentment and happiness dwell — for all this I am indebted 
 to him. Would it add to his happiness never to have a 
 saddle or harness on his back, he should never wear the 
 bonds of servitude again ; but active life is what he enjoys. 
 No matter how large a box you confine him in, he frets 
 like the prisoner of Chillon, and would soon wear even a 
 stone floor in his uneasiness. He must acquire more than 
 
"fa look's" posteeitt. 41 
 
 a local celebrity, and leave his posterity a record that will 
 compare with the best, so that others shall know his great 
 excellence as well as myself. This is what I have marked 
 for him to do. For this I have studied, and for this I 
 have come to perfect myself in the art, of which you axe 
 conceded a master. 
 
OHAPTEE IV. 
 
 I'BACHENG TO TROT — BOLTERS — WINTERING HORSES — BREEDING 
 FARMS, ETC. 
 
 Preceptor — I can well appreciate the feeling you have 
 for that horse, and in place of considering it mawkish 
 sentimentality, honor you for your gratitude to him, who 
 has done so much to retrieve your bad fortune. 
 
 You are also worthy of credit for the pertinacity with 
 which you stuck to him, determined that he should make 
 a trotter. Patience is everything in our profession. Weeks, 
 months, even years are necessary to make the most pro- 
 mising proficient in this partly acquired gait. The swift 
 gallop of the race-horse is greatly improved by training. 
 Perhaps if they were run without any weight on them, 
 nature would be the only teacher they would require, but 
 the action that is necessary to carry the weight easily is 
 the result of practice. The swiftest natm-al trot any ani- 
 mal ever possessed is slow, indeed, compared with the 
 speed exhibited by Dexter or Lady Thorne. If these two 
 "Topsawyers" had never been subjected to a thorough 
 training, their great speed would never have been known. 
 In fact, they might have passed their lives without either 
 being credited as even good travelers, by being placed in 
 f* position that would have rendered fast traveling un- 
 necessary. 
 
 When a particular family of horses have become cele- 
 brated for great trotting powers, almost every colt belong- 
 
RACE COLTS IN TRAIN. 43 
 
 ing to it is placed in a position to stow whether ihey 
 have this family characteristic. Men pay long prices for 
 Hambletonian, Membrino or Pilot colts that have never 
 felt the weight of harness, because many of their relations 
 have proved fast, and they are generally well repaid for 
 their investment by subjecting them to long and skillful 
 training. My predilections for the thorough-bred may 
 have arisen from sleeping with them when a boy. My 
 heart would nearly break when one of our stable was 
 beaten, or burst with joy when any were victorious. 
 These remembrances may bias my judgment, but I have 
 often thought that, were the race colts placed in train as 
 trotters, we would see as many of them first class per- 
 formers as any of the strains I have just mentioned. 
 Both the Hambletonians and Membrinos had their origin 
 in the purest streams of the turf blood. 
 
 The admixture of Bellfounder, and other coarse strains, 
 cannot have given them any additional qualities for rapid 
 locomotion at a trotting gait, while, if the little black 
 pacing pony, Pilot, had been confined to mares of his 
 own degree, we would never have seen one fit for a 
 butcher's cart or baker's wagon. But this is a subject we 
 must take some rainy afternoon to discuss in all its rami- 
 fications, as it is one of great weight to you, expecting to 
 breed as well as train trotters. 
 
 Pupil. — You again please me exceedingly, as I am 
 well convinced that the better bred the trotter is, the 
 more likely he is to perform great feats, and argue it so 
 much that I am considered a monomaniac on that subject. 
 There is no part of the business I am so taken up with as 
 breeding and rearing the colts. The interest never flagB 
 with me for a moment, from the time the young thing 
 first gleefully capers round his mother till it is old enough 
 to attract the attention of a purchaser ; even then the 
 feeling of affection will follow, and I will rejoice in 
 
44 HOESE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 its well doings as much as if still the owner. I have only 
 one more aged animal to show you, and he is a grandson 
 of the little French pacer you were just speaking of, being 
 by Pilot, Jr., his dam a well bred mare. These four speci- 
 mens of bad management, will be, a sufficient test of 
 your skill in teaching, and my aptitude in learning, as they 
 have been as unfortunate in their early tutorage as gen- 
 erally falls to the lot of their species. With the young 
 things we will at least have a clean page to commence on, 
 which will be much pleasanter than if we had to use 
 pumice stone and India rubber, before we could make a 
 mark. 
 
 This grey horse we call Clipper, and he was considered 
 as promising a colt as his sire ever got. His dam had 
 produced a trotter thart had gone exceedingly well, tinder 
 the circumstances, and much was expected from the scion 
 of a horse that boasted of Native American, John Mor- 
 gan, Bull Run, and plenty of other good ones. 
 
 In his three year old form he gave further proof of his 
 possessing the virtues of his line, by winning a three year 
 old stake in a country where young trotters are as plenti- 
 ful as blackberries in their season. ^Tien four years old, 
 his trainer, a black fellow, owned by this horse's breeder, 
 gave him an unmerciful flagellation, which knocked aU 
 the trot out of him. He took such a hatred to the track, 
 that he could not be driven round it, and additional 
 threshings confirmed him in this disHke, so that he had 
 to be thrown up. 
 
 He was pui'chased afterwards by a gentleman, for his 
 services in breeding, and when not in this employment, 
 he drove him on the road. This gentleman, who had a 
 strong desire to improve the stock of the section in 
 which he lived, had spent a great deal of time and money 
 to effect that object. 
 
 He first got a stallion, with a pedigree and form as good 
 
THE STALIIOK CLIPPER. 45 
 
 as could be found ; and in order also to serve those wlio 
 wanted a trotting strain to breed from, he selected Clipper. 
 The blood Chpper drew from the veins of his dam and 
 half-bred sire, gave him quite a share of that which would 
 be so great an advantage to the cold blood mares, about 
 the only kind kept in that region. The owner endured the 
 irritation consequent on owning two public stallions for 
 several seasons, thinking that when the progeny began to 
 display their good quahties, it would stop the abuse that 
 was so plentifully heaped on his pets, but it increased. 
 Fifty good colts would be passed without a word of com- 
 mendation, while a medium or poor one would be held up 
 as a specimen of the horse's breeding. 
 
 He became utterly disgusted at the stock not being 
 appreciated, made a present of the thoroughbred to a 
 friend, and selling the Clipper for what we both thought 
 was but a quarter of his value. He is as gentle as a horse 
 can be on the road, a child driving him Avithout the least 
 danger, but on the track is quite a different animal. A 
 sharp tone or flourish of the whip and away he goes for 
 the fence. At times he will trot fast, but on making a 
 break, will rush for the same place or jump frantically in 
 the air, expecting a repetition of the beatings he has not 
 yet forgotten. You will also perceive that he is as much 
 out of condition as a horse can well be; every leg swollen; 
 in the right hind foot a bad case of thrush, with a bowed 
 sinew on the near fore leg that looks Hke the premonitory 
 symptoms of a break down; this, however, was occasioned 
 by a blow, so that it may not be as dangerous as it ap- 
 pears. 
 
 Preceptor. — Had I not my eye fuU of the Falcon's 
 faultless symmetry of form, I would have greatly admired 
 the proportions of this one, though he shows but very 
 little signs of his grand sire the " Canuck ;" another proof 
 of the superiority of racing blood. The five-eighths or 
 
46 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 three-quarters flowing in tliis horse's veins has completely 
 obliterated the outward appearance of the remaining frac- 
 tional part, and were this horse bred to fine mares, in all 
 probabihty his colts would be still farther from showing 
 it in acts and appearance. Were I to open a breeding 
 farm for the purpose of rearing trotters, expecting to seU 
 my colts at an early age, I would not object to mixing a 
 good deal of French blood with the purer stream. In 
 my opinion the colts would come to their trotting gait 
 earlier. They would bend the knee with less teaching. 
 We have an exemplification of that in the young trotters 
 Bruno and Brunette. That they would eventually prove 
 as good horses, I have no idea. 
 
 As to the case in hand, — -this fellow's bolting, — it is one 
 of the most dangerous tricks a horse can have, and I 
 would not knowingly become the owner of one that had 
 acquired it. Your request for me to drive the Falcon I 
 would gTant with the greatest of pleasure, as I would 
 take delight in driving him, but in order that you, as 
 well as your horses, may be acquiring useful information, 
 it will be necessary for you to do the tooling yourself. 
 Should there be no nerves of sense in your arms, teUing 
 you when to pull and when to ease away, I will give up 
 the task ere the commencement of teaching you to drive. 
 That you do possess this quality I have no doubt, as 
 without it, you never could have met with the success 
 you have already attained. Had you asked me to drive 
 this boltei% I should have emphatically answered no, on 
 my own account, and can only say that you vdll be lucky 
 if you do not get hurt. The best advice I can give, is, 
 that when you see he is determined to bolt, in Heu of 
 trying to keep him on the track, pull him directly for the 
 fence. If he keeps on he had better hit it with his head 
 than the wheel. I have cured horses of shying with a 
 contrivance that may possibly be of some benefit to him, 
 
CUREFOEBOLTING. 47 
 
 though I will have no faith in it till tried. For the blind 
 or winker of the bridle have a sheet of Russia iron cut a 
 little larger than the ordinary sized bhnd, and perfora- 
 ted with numerous small holes. The philosophy of the 
 thing is that the horse sees so many bug-a-boos that he is 
 confused, and results much the same as driving him in 
 the crowded streets of a city, where so much strikes the 
 eye that he has no time to be afraid of what is on one 
 side, for the many objects on the other are just as fearful, 
 compelUng him to go straight along. This may multiply 
 the fences to the Clipper, so that unless he takes a fancy 
 for a steeple chase he may remain on the track. He wiU 
 naturally associate the whip and bolting together, so we 
 will discard it when di'iving him for a Vt'hile. His going 
 so frantically in the air, is from having his mouth so torn 
 to pieces, and jerked when in a break. By letting him 
 run till he will regain his trot of himself, or at least by a 
 little motion of the bit pulling his head a little on one 
 side, or a shght shake similar to what you would use to 
 hook a trout, will in due course of time teach him a better 
 system of breaking. It is true this will increase the dan- 
 ger should he bolt, the run being speedier than the trot. 
 In the velocity of a moving body impinged on a heavy sta- 
 tionary one, and brought to quiescent state, everything 
 movable will have acquired the momentum of the moving 
 body, and will go till arrested by the laws of gravitation, 
 or brought up with a round turn, coming down a purler, 
 as our English friend would say, or a sockdolager, as we 
 would. He will not be Hkely, however, to leave the track 
 running along at his ease, with the di'iver talking to him 
 as he ought to. Should you pull and frighten him, the 
 choking sensation would be an additional inducement for 
 him to leave. His condition is certainly very bad, and it 
 will be some time ere he can be put to work with the bal- 
 ance. I never believe in giving a well horse medicine, as I 
 
48 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 think all that is claimed to be gained by a coiu'se of physic, 
 can be got at safer to the animal and easier to ourselves, 
 than by balling and drencliing ; but in the case some 
 aperient or alterative will be required. Your horses are 
 just in the order I would like to have them to commence 
 work, fat, but not overloaded with flesh. They show 
 they have been well wintered, getting their rations of hay, 
 corn and oats as regularly as the hour came for them to 
 have it. The idea of starving or freezing out horses has 
 long been exploded with me, and must have originated in 
 some one who was so confoundedly mean that he grudged 
 the horses the grain that was necessary for them to retain 
 their stamina. My idea of wintering a trotter is to turn 
 him iu a large, roomy box, first having prepared him 
 by taking off the clothes he has been wearing, putting 
 lighter ones on, removing them so that he may get a 
 good thick coating of hair that will protect him better 
 than the artificial application of blankets ; his shoes 
 pulled off of course. Adjoining this box let there be a 
 yard well Uttered with straw, and every day, that is not 
 too stormy, give him the run of the yard for several 
 hours. Have the best of timothy cut when the seed is 
 just forming, or rather when the bloom is entkely off ; 
 well cured, but not exposed to the sun and air till half of 
 its nutritious qualities have been wasted. Have a large 
 manger, in which the horse can turn this hay over, se- 
 lecting the part of it that suits him best ; but if good and 
 properly cured all will be eaten. This manger should 
 take up the whole end of the box, high enough that in 
 rolling there will be no danger of getting in it ; built per- 
 pendicularly, so that if inclined to paw while eating, the 
 knee will not hit it as would be the case were it sloping 
 from him. On one end of this manger set a porcelain hned 
 feed trough, or in heu of that a common cast iron kettle 
 that will hold two or three pails full. Give him, at regu- 
 
WIN"TERINQ A TROTTER. 49 
 
 lar intervals, three feeds a day of good oats, every other 
 day substitviting a few ears of sound old corn — the dent 
 varieties are the best — the amount will depend on the 
 size or fat forming quahties ; but from six to eight quarts 
 of oats daily, or its equivalent in other feed, will generally 
 be found sufficient. The quantity of hay to be unhmited, 
 so that the stomach will be filled, restoring the muscular 
 power in that organ, which may have been impaired in 
 the preparation for sweats and races the preceding sum- 
 mer. Once or twice a week give a bran mash, and place 
 a box containing salt within reach. Through the winter 
 change his feed by giving cut feed, carrots, wheat, rye, 
 barley, meal, etc., and as the spring comes on, a little oil 
 meal, flax, or sunflower seeds, will assist in shedding the 
 old coat, and producing a soft, shmj new one to take its 
 place. He should be watered three times a day. The 
 litter in his box shaken up, and all the soiled portions 
 thrown out once a day. No gTooming will be needed ; if 
 plenty of clean straw is kept in his yard and box he will 
 not require it, and for this much of the year, at least, he 
 will be exempt from the torture — to a thin-skinned horse — 
 of currycomb and brush. In the temperature of this box 
 I know of no better rule to observe than that, after proper 
 precautions have been taken for thorough ventilation, it 
 may be made so close as to exclude the outer air. If this 
 is done by building a hollow brick wall or a wooden one, 
 the aim will be reached. I have seen stables built of logs 
 that were as good, and horses wintered in them as well, as 
 when thousands of dollars had been lavished to rear a 
 structure that has all the appliances of modern times to 
 make its inmates comfortable. I do not mean, by this re- 
 mark, to be understood that I find fault with the taste 
 displayed by our wealthy men in building fine bams and 
 stables. They are not only a great ornament to a fine 
 villa or city residence, but they are so comfortable for the 
 
50 HOKSE POETRAITUBE. 
 
 horse, and so handy for those who have them in charge, 
 that to one who had been accustomed to the best half a 
 century ago, the change would be marvellous. For a 
 country place or farm there is nothing that adds more 
 of a home look than good outbuildings, and I would have 
 the horse barn not too far distant fi'om the house. In 
 fact, I would have it so near that let the weather be as 
 rough as it might, there would be no dread of going from 
 one to the other. It should be a prominent feature in the 
 picture, made up of the dwelling, lawn, orchard and pad- 
 docks, where the matrons of the stud and their offspring- 
 are sunning themselves. If not naturally protected, I 
 would shelter it with belts of trees, evergreen and decidu- 
 ous. To sum up, I would have it look as if its inmates 
 were just as well taken care of as those in the more 
 pretentious dwelhng, and where horses, like the Falcon, 
 would have their eye for the beautiful gratified whenever 
 they looked out of the box window. For a training stable, 
 there wovild have to be a change of site and arrangements 
 that would differ, but the training quarters we will also 
 discuss some other time. 
 
 Pupil. — You would have every one who kept a horse 
 provide him with a comfortable home, and it is surprising 
 that men of sufficient means are found who restrict their 
 horses to a place unfit to confine a hog. Plenty of farm- 
 ers, " out West," still crib them in a pen made of poles 
 and straw, which answered the purpose very well when 
 first erected, and while the family was contented and 
 comfortable in the shanty or log cabin ; but large gaps 
 have been made in the fragile material, where the cutting 
 prairie winds blow through, seemingly more biting than 
 where the snow drifted over the fence, and the cattle were 
 cowering beneath the blast. 
 
 These men have owed all thek wealth and comforts to the 
 faithful servants that brought them fi-om their old home, 
 
NEGLECT OF HORSES. 51 
 
 wtere tlae soil was rocky and sterile, to that where it is as 
 rich and fruitful as the valley of the NUe. They toiled at 
 the breaking plow, late and early, to convert the flowery 
 prairie into fields that were overladen with all the pro- 
 ducts the most provident farmer could desire ; hauled the 
 rails that protected these crops from devastation ; reaped 
 the grain, harvested, thrashed ; in fact, thanks to the in- 
 ventive genius of the country, did all the heavy work of 
 the farm, and after that was accomplished, joined in the 
 owner's pleasures, carrying him where he listed. 
 
 The excitement of the wolf chase could not have been 
 enjoyed had they refused to follow the wily denizen of the 
 grove aud bluff over the rolling prairie, never making a 
 mistake in the treacherous gopher holes, and knowing 
 just where it was safe to cross the slough that trembles 
 under their light feet. 
 
 For all these services rendered, they are requited by 
 having to stand the cold night with no protection, while 
 the owner has replaced the cabin with the good two story 
 brick or frame, protected from every breath of cold air. 
 "Would that I had the power to make them change places. 
 The burly farmer should shiver for a while tiU he ac- 
 knowledged his indebtedness, and finally repaid it by 
 making his horse as comfortable as his now ample 
 means would render easy of accomphshment. 
 
 You almost frighten me from the determination to 
 make this bolter forget his dangerous trick, but as 
 there never was a steeple-chase rider that did not get a 
 "purler" or "sockdolager," before he attained the re- 
 quisite knowledge, so I will even brave the chance of 
 being impinged on some heavy, ponderous object that 
 will receive me at the risk of compound fractures, 
 liberal contusions, and seeing stars generally. I cor- 
 dially agree with you relative to the wintering, and have 
 
52 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 followed the plan you hafve advised, as far as my means 
 would permit. 
 
 I cannot coincide in your opinion of even making the 
 most money by the early sales of colts having the admix- 
 ture of French blood, to make them learn their trotting 
 lessons easier. If I were able to breed in the manner I 
 would like, to secure the right location for the farm would, 
 of course, be the first thing. I would look a long while 
 before I made the selection, as it would have to combine 
 qualities that are not found on every farm. Supposing 
 it to lie north of the forty-first or second parallel of lati- 
 tude, it would have to be in a sheltered situation, where 
 no rough wind should have a long sweep. The soil should 
 be rich, so that there would be a good growth of herbage, 
 and suitable for the production of all kinds of graia. 
 Without drawing on my fancy, I will describe a jjlace I 
 have often thought the very best I ever saw for a horse 
 breeding estabhshment. It consists of six hundred and 
 forty acres, being a square, each of its boundary lines a 
 mile. Along its eastern boundary is a road that for 
 several miles is perfectly straight, nearly level, and quite 
 sandy. About half way there is another road running in 
 a westerly direction, by the buildings, which are located 
 very near in the centre of the whole tract. The eastern 
 half of the section is very nearly level, yet undulating 
 enough to cause perfect drainage. On this portion is 
 found almost every variety of western land — that along 
 the road having a mixture of sand ; and as you go back, 
 there is gravelly loam, heavy alluvium, clayey loam, all 
 rich, mellow, and friable as an ash heap. This part was 
 originally prairie, lying on the second bottom of the 
 Mississippi Eiver. The western part of the section runs 
 part way up the bluff, which is crescent-shaped, and of a 
 gentle inchnation, rising about two hundred feet higher 
 than the bottom. This bluff does not present a continu- 
 
WHITE-OAK WOODLANDS. 63 
 
 ous line, but is divided into several bills by ravines, tbat 
 gradually widen as they approach the bottom, till on the 
 skirts of the timber they are two or three hundred yards 
 in width. The hills are covered with a heavy growth of 
 timber, principally grand old white oaks, that interlace 
 their branches overhead, while their trunks are such a 
 distance apart as to suggest the idea of their having 
 been planted by some skilled landscape gardener, centu- 
 ries ago. This idea is strengthened by the grouping of 
 the trees, which, in every case, are best arranged to suit 
 the inequahties of the ground. As you approach the edge 
 of the ravine, shrubbery takes the place of the large 
 trees, making an appropriate border for these emerald 
 bays so beautifully carpeted with the thick growing blue 
 grass. These woodlands are very different from the cele- 
 brated wooded blue grass pastures of Kentucky, and 
 much as I have admired them at Woodburn, Ashland, 
 and scores of other places in that favored region of the 
 horse-paradise, still, to my eye, there is more beauty in 
 these I am trying to describe. The Kentucky trees show 
 that they have been a dense growth, and were forced to 
 grow long boles that their tops might not be overshadowed 
 by their high companions. The cutting away of part of 
 this growth has made the lack of branches more apparent. 
 Here the annual fires killed all the undergrowth, leav- 
 ing those that were large enough not to be injured by the 
 burning grass at a sufficient distance apart to develop their 
 full beauty. Trees of two or three feet in diameter would 
 scarcely rise twenty feet before they threw out lateral 
 branches approximating to the size of the parent stem. 
 
 What a crown of grandeur some of these old white and 
 burr oaks possess, and to my mind the white oak is, j^o?' 
 excellence, the king of trees. I have a distinct recollection 
 (though it is a long while ago since I saw them) of some 
 of the woods and pai^ks of the " old countrie." "When a 
 
54 HORSE POETRAITTJRE. 
 
 boy I bird-nested and gathered hazel nuts in Craigieburn 
 "Wood, " where sweet faa's the eve ;" guddled for trouts 
 in the waters, and pou'd gowans on the banks, of the Even 
 and Annan, rendered classical by the sweet lyrics my 
 countrymen have written in their praise ; wandered with 
 awe around some of the old ruined castles whose thick 
 walls and grated windows told tales of the old feudal 
 times, and which needed not the funereal yew and dismal 
 fir to make as ghostly as one could wish ; admired the well- 
 kept parks, with the trees of centuries' growth springing 
 from the verdant sod. Your remark that the English- 
 man's boast was of the most beautiful women, finest 
 horses, and grandest old trees is true, since Scotland was 
 joined by act of Parliament to the richer country. The 
 finest horses, even a Scotchman will admit, they always 
 possessed, but the bonnie lasses and grand trees would 
 never be allowed. No one acquainted with the hterature 
 of the two countries, will deny that the Scot has been 
 more felicitous in his description of female beauty, which 
 can only be accounted for by his more frequently seeing 
 it ; but I have got away from the breeding farm and di- 
 gressed merely to compare the trees on it with those of 
 Kentucky and England, superior to the first and quite 
 equaling the finest specimens in the Enghsh parks. The 
 site for the house is about midway, in elevation, between 
 the river and top of the bluff, on the summit of one of 
 the smaller hills. To the east and soiith nothing ob- 
 structs the view, and a grand one it is. The southward 
 curve of the bluft^ forming an arc of a great circle, en- 
 closes several thousand acres between it and the river. 
 \Vhere it meets the water, it ends in an almost perpen- 
 dicular wall of yellow hmestone, broken into deep fissures, 
 where scrubby red cedars and creeping vines are the only 
 verdure that can grow. On the summit of the precipice are 
 gnarled oaks, throwing their branches in fantastic shapes 
 
SITUATION OF A MODEL FARM. 55 
 
 athwart tlie sky. Away to the southeast and beyond the 
 river, are blue, hazy looking hUls, an undulating outline 
 losing itself in the far off horizon. Directly opposite the 
 house is a heavily wooded island. Above the dense foh- 
 age of the trees another rocky barrier rears its frowning 
 bulk in broken crags, hundreds of feet above the water. 
 This precipice is on the opposite side of the river, the 
 course of which can be seen for miles from the door of 
 the house. The plateau lying between it and the shelter- 
 ing bluff is spread out, like a map, before you. On the 
 farthest extremity is a neat Kttle village. Between that 
 and the obsei'ver are several cultivated farms, the biiild- 
 ings and fences adding greatly to the comfortable appear- 
 ance of the whole. A steamboat is gliding along over the 
 tranquil waters, and from another village on the eastern 
 shore, a long train of cars is winding its way round the 
 foot of the rocky bluff. A large spring breaks from the 
 most northern ravine, and is running through the pasture 
 like a thread of silver. From your seat, in front of the 
 house, you can see where a mile course could be made 
 that a cat would be visible on every "jump" he would 
 make. You fancy now that you can see the embryotio 
 trotters taking their preliminary lessons, and in another 
 field to the right, but just as much under your eye, some 
 of their kindred are more gracefully galloping. I am 
 now presuming that I am rich enough to keep race 
 horses, as I would advise every man of moderate means, 
 whose fancy for the horse requires gratification, to stick 
 to the trotters. He will make money out of them if even 
 unsuccessful in breeding top sawyers, the different grades 
 finding ready sales and remunerating prices in the large 
 towns and cities, while the training expenses of the young 
 race horse are three-fold of his more useful but less 
 showy relative, the young trotter. I quite agree with 
 John Randolph, that two tolerable things are intolerable, 
 
56 HOESEPOETEAITURE. 
 
 a tolerable egg and a tolerable race horse. I have now 
 found a suitable farm, but the most important thing is 
 yet to be sought, the stock that is to render all available ; 
 and here I would probably differ from ninety-nine in a 
 hundred who have given the subject much study. For a 
 stallion (leaving all predilections or favoritism for an in- 
 dividual animal that would cause me to select the Falcon 
 as a model), I would hunt up a thoroughbred of good 
 size, say fifteen and a half to sixteen hands, possessing 
 the requisite bone, or rather, tendon and muscle. Most 
 all horses in my opmion have bone enough — a good many 
 of them too much. His pedigree I would be just as fas- 
 tidious about as if I wanted to breed race horses, and 
 would not be suited without it contained several crosses 
 of Messenger and Sir Archy. There may be other fami- 
 lies that will prove just as successful, but these have been 
 tried. I know of two imported stallions that will un- 
 doubtedly be celebrated yet as the progenitors of trot- 
 ters. 
 
 To go back thirty years for an illustration. A colt 
 from Ariel, by Henry, would suit me exactly as to blood. 
 For instance, Ariel, by Eclipse, dam by Financier, g dam 
 by Baronet, g g dam by Messenger ; Echpse, by Duroc, 
 dam by Messenger ; Financier, by Tippo Saib, dam by 
 Messenger ; Tippo Saib, by Messenger. This might ap- 
 pear as if too closely inbred to produce a good animal, 
 but her performances — the best campaigner of her day — 
 shows that it was not the case with her ; and by scrutini- 
 zing this pedigTee we will find that with all these near 
 crosses she was only about a quarter Messenger, but un- 
 doubtedly the preponderance of that blood over any 
 other, enabled her to display its most valuable character- 
 istics, and I have no doubt, that had she been taught to 
 trot, she would have exhibited the wonderful feats since 
 shown by the more remote members of this family. 
 
SELECTION OF STALLION AND MARES. 57 
 
 Henry, the celebrated antagonist of Eclipse, was the sire 
 of the dam American Star, that got Goshen Maid, Bolly 
 Lewis, and a great many other good ones renowned in the 
 stud as well as the trotting course. 
 
 Post Boy, a son of the hero of 7:37, left many fine road- 
 sters through Ohio and Michigan, ending his career in 
 Dixon, Illinois, where he died in 186'3, thirty years old, 
 the last of his get a very promising trotting filly. I would 
 prefer the stallion a bay or brown. My choice would be 
 that rich, rosewood brown, a color often seen in the colts 
 of imported Sovereign. It would be an additional in- 
 ducement for me to buy him if he had been tried, and his 
 eolts were found to color after himself, and it would be 
 absolutely essential that he had good trotting action — 
 the faster the better. 
 
 For mares I would like to get good sized, roomy ani- 
 mals, with all the important points good ; strong consti- 
 tutions and docile in their temper. I would not care if 
 they had less quality than the stallion, but would much 
 prefer one that had been a mother, proving herself a good 
 milker, to one that looked a Httle better, but not known 
 to possess this great desideratum for the well-doing of 
 the colt. Their blood would suit me best to resemble 
 that of the stallion, by having the remote crosses similar, 
 with an admixture of Trustee or Boston, both of whose 
 descendants I have seen trot fast. They should also have 
 the clear trotting step that a majority of thoroughbred 
 mares surely possess. I do not think the objection often 
 urged against breeding from near affinities, is sustained 
 by proof from the record — quite to the contrary, as was 
 exhibited by Ariel. Many of the best animals on the turf 
 have been thus bred. I would not advise incestuous 
 crosses, though even that is less to be dreaded than many 
 think. Virginia Taylor and Virginia Lafayette by Sir 
 Archy, dam Coquette by Sir Archy, were both good 
 
58 HORSE POETKAITURE. 
 
 mares, the best their dam ever bred from any other 
 horse. FHrtilla, Jr., bred in the same way, was not as 
 fleet an animal as her dam, but a better brood mare, 
 producing Cassandra, one of the best of the noted Priam's 
 get in this country. I think that to establish any point 
 of excellence in a family, not usual to their race, but prom- 
 inent in them, this system is far more certain than any 
 other that can be pursued. 'Twas thus that Collins, Bake- 
 well and Webb built up almost a distinct race of short 
 horns, Leicesters and Southdowns, and though we want 
 our horses famous for something else than early maturity, 
 large size and capacity to take on fat, the soundness of 
 constitution necessary, ere they can possess these quah- 
 ties, will hkewise tend to the forming of muscle and 
 adaptability for rapid locomotion. 
 
 These mares I would also select of a uniform color, 
 which should be the same as that of the horse, having an 
 eye to the progeny resembling each other, which would 
 enhance their value both as trotters or carriage horses. 
 Pairs are now much sought after, by those who delight in 
 going fast on the road, and to one who can aiford the 
 added expense is certainly much more pleasant than driv- 
 ing one, if they are lucky enough to get together those 
 alike in size, speed and action. 
 
 Having now got my stock, I would prepare the place 
 by fencing those sheltered ravines into small sized fields 
 or paddocks, in each enclosure placing a shed, tightly 
 roofed and closely boarded on three sides. This would be 
 for the accommodation of the mare, and foal soon after it 
 was dropped, and where I would keep them till the foal was 
 old enough to wean. In this shed should be two feeding 
 boxes or troughs, the one that the mare eats from large, 
 but so low that her colt could also reach it, so that the 
 little fellow would learn from his mother to nibble at the 
 oats, and when the teeth got through the gums, eat his 
 
BEARINGCOLTS. 59 
 
 share from the smaller trough placed where the mare 
 could not get at it. They should have two feeds a day of 
 about three quarts each feed, not quite so much as that till 
 after the mare was stinted again. When the colt is about 
 five months old, say the first of November, I would wean 
 him ; first having broken him to the halter so that he 
 would be as handj to lead as an old horse. The middle 
 of August I would have one of the smaller fields of 
 corn seeded to rye between the rows. Through one cor- 
 ner of the field runs the spring branch, its bed clean 
 gravel and sand that has been placed there, so there shall 
 be no mud for our little heroes to stand in as they quench 
 their thirst. On the side near the house is a long shed 
 with a trough, where the twenty colts we are now wean- 
 ing, will have plenty of room to eat their ration of oats 
 without interfering with each other. In this field we turn 
 them, placing those foaled the earliest in first ; but as a 
 general rule, no matter about the age, it is best to com- 
 mence weaning as soon as the first of November, before 
 the succulence of the young lye has been injured by frost. 
 The colts will improve in condition on that and the 
 oats that are fed in the shed, and will also nibble at the 
 ears of corn not yet gathered from the stalk. They will 
 soon become reconciled to the loss of the mother by the 
 company of each other, and it will be far better than any 
 circus show to see them play, or come rushing through 
 the corn-stalks, when you call them to the evening meal, 
 always given by yourself or under your immediate super- 
 vision. 
 
 Here we will let them stay, till the weather becomes 
 cold enough to require their being placed in warmer quar- 
 ters at night and on stormy days. On the sunny side of 
 the barn we have built a large shed ; on the west side is 
 a stone-wall which is banked up for half its height ; the 
 south side is boarded, and the east fixed with sliding 
 
60 HOKSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 doors, SO that in case of very cold weather it can be closed 
 entirely. Sliding partitions are also prepared to divide 
 the shed into five compartments. The shed is Httered 
 deeply with straw. Overhead we have storage room for 
 hay, corn-stalks and straw, and contiguous to the south 
 side is a room for corn, oats, meal, bran, &c., with a root- 
 cellar in the high bank. The hay is clover and timothy, 
 the clover cut while the flowers are in full bloom, and the 
 timothy cut a week earher than one would cut it for 
 horses that are in train. The clover has been cured so 
 that its fragrance is that of a fine morning, no blackness 
 or mould, but a deep green ; an armful of it thrown to 
 the hogs is as greedily eaten as if it had just been cut. In 
 the root cellar are carrots, with a few other vegetables, 
 such as cabbages and sugar beets. The commissary is 
 well suppHed, and are near enough the head of the 
 spring, so that we carry it in a pipe to the yard without 
 danger of freezing. 
 
 These young things must be fed as regularly as the 
 movement of a Jules Jurgesen watch, varying their feed 
 whenever their appetite craves a change. But I must 
 beg youi" pardon for taking up this subject, which you had 
 tabooed till a rainy evening ; but once on the subject of 
 breeding and I do not know when to stop. I must pray 
 of you to put an end to my loquacity when it becomes 
 tiresome. I am not so conceited as to think that all of 
 my plannings and dreamings will be conceded to, or even 
 interest you, though I have had some experience in breed- 
 ing on a small scale, and have visited some of the large 
 breeding estabhshments of the country, but never yet 
 have seen one that suited me in all particulars. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — Well, my scholar and partly teacher, I 
 have become gTeatly interested in your ideal farm, and 
 will be much pleased to hear you continue it, till the colts 
 have got to an age when they will be fit to go to sharp 
 
COUKTRY REPOSE AND FRIEKDS. 61 
 
 work. I have no doubt yoiir knowledge of breeding is 
 much superior to mine, as I never raised a colt in my 
 life, and though nearly a score of years your senior, pre- 
 sume that your country life has given you facilities for 
 observation, tenfold greater than could be enjoyed by one 
 spending his days on a track near this great metropohs, 
 which throws its shadow over what should be country, and 
 requires quite a journey ere one can feel that he is entirely 
 free from city air. It has been a cherished idea with me, 
 that the time would come when I should own a farm, 
 where I could retire in the evening of life solaced with 
 the quiet joys a dweller in the country has to be contented 
 with, but I have been too long acquiring the means that 
 would enable me to fix myself satisfactorily. For a man of 
 my age to form new habits, acquire new friends, change my 
 whole manner of Ufe, I am of opinion it is too late. It is 
 true, my lifelong companions, the horses, could be re- 
 tained, but ardent as I am in my affections for them, I 
 could not be in the stable all the while. Had I a family, 
 the case would be different. A wife to share my joys and 
 griefs, to solace me in one and make the other doubly en- 
 joyable, with children to watch over and establish, then 
 any place would be cheerful ; but, as with the farm, I 
 waited too long, till the time for connubial felicity had 
 also passed. 
 
 From my connection with horses I have made friends 
 that honor me by their friendship ; men of strict in- 
 tegrity, who never think of a mean deed much less of 
 doing one, whose fondness for the sports of the turf can 
 not be destroyed by the rascality of those who would 
 be rascals the same in any position of life they might be 
 placed, and who bring the manly sport in so much dis- 
 credit, that it takes a good deal of nerve in those men 
 placed high in social position, the fruits of large means 
 and well directed talent, to acknowledge their connection 
 
62 HOESEPORTEAITUEE. 
 
 witli it. I have scores of these friends to love and ad- 
 mu-e, and whose friendship will cheer me through hfe, if 
 unfortunate enough to have neither home nor family to 
 gild its declining years. I am sorry you have located 
 your breeding farm so near the setting sun as even the 
 west bank of the Mississippi. It will be too far to go to 
 see the results of your making trotters of thoroughbreds, 
 and I am afraid ere you send the first installment to 
 market my heats wiU be ended, and, gently as the ancient 
 scythe-bearer has always treated me, he will undoubtedly 
 leave me behind the distance pole at last, though I shall 
 make a game struggle, and hope the closing event will 
 bring no discredit on the many honorable contests that 
 have preceded it. 
 
 Pupil.— The Falcon ? 
 
 Peeceptoe. — Yes, I know that the Falcon which I have 
 been so foolish as to let you know how much I like, 
 is thrown in my face as sufficient proof that the colts from 
 your twenty-five mares will all, or at least a majority of 
 them, trot fast. " One swallow does not make a summer," 
 nor will one thoroughbred estabHsh the claims of the 
 whole race to trotting speed. 
 
 Pupil. — Did you not admit a short time ago, that if 
 blood horses were trained as the trotting famiUes are, 
 they would excel them in their own branch of going. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — I did say if race colts were placed in the 
 same thorough training as Membrinos, Hambletonians 
 and Pilots, there would be as many trotters among them 
 as among the colder blooded ones, but I did not want 
 you to infer that in a breeding estabhshment to rear 
 trotters, I would discard those families that had shown 
 their adaptation for that gait. It would be well enough 
 for some of our rich men to attempt the proof, who could 
 pocket the loss, if it should prove such. In fact, I told 
 you that I would have French mares, so that the colts 
 
DANGER OF EXPERIMENTS. 63 
 
 would not need as mucli practice to acquire tlie necessary 
 knee action, which every fast trotter must have. You dis- 
 sented from the opinion, but as yet have not shown that 
 I was wrong in the premises. 
 
 Pupil. — I had not come to that yet ; I had only carried 
 my colts along, till they were weaned and prepared for 
 the winter, passing over a great deal I meant to say, in 
 order to get to that point, but found that to make my 
 plan intelligible, it was necessary to go partially in detail 
 to be understood, and — 
 
 Pkegeptoe. — All right, I was finding no fault with your 
 description. As I think you weaned your eolts, and 
 started them into winter quarters in a very thorough 
 manner, and will warrant that if dealt with in ihe same 
 way tiU four years old, you will have the right kind of 
 animals whether they trot or not. Nor do I find fault 
 with your taking time to describe the scenery surround- 
 ing your farm. Were the best farm in the world iso- 
 lated from others, with no beautiful surroundings, it 
 would be no dweUing place for me. The blood you 
 woTild select would also meet my approbation. The only 
 trouble is in confining yourseK to an experiment, which 
 would be all proper in a man with abundant means, 
 where failure would not result in pecuniary embarrass- 
 ment, the worst of all loads to bear, excepting personal 
 dishonor. After dinner I will be much pleased to hear a 
 continuation of your expei'imental farm. In the mean- 
 time, we must not neglect the commencement of our 
 duties to these animals that are to be put in active 
 training. You say they have had a good deal of walk be- 
 fore you left home, so that they will only need sufficient 
 to recover them fi*om the long journey on the cars. To- 
 morrow, we will go to the shop, and see that they are 
 shod in a proper manner. With the exception of the 
 Falcon, they all want a change in their shoes, to gniard 
 
64 HOKSE PORTKAITURE. 
 
 against hitting somewhere, as I see the bolter has had 
 some pretty severe hits on the shin, only now shown by 
 white marks across the dark grey of his leg ; but, as it 
 will be sometime before he is ready, even to jog, there 
 will be no hurry with him. As for the young things, 
 when you finish your pipe, and I one or two of these 
 cigars, we will look them over. 
 
CHAPTEE V. 
 
 OBNAMENTAli PIiANTING — OTJT-BUILDINGS — ^BROOD MABES AITO 
 STAliLIONS — WESTERN PRAIRIES. 
 
 Preceptor. — ^You have been so fortunate in your choice 
 of a stopping place, that I am afraid, while enjoying 
 its comforts, we will be tempted to place too much 
 importance on the good breakfasts and dinners pro- 
 vided for us, and grumble over their absence ; making 
 every one uncomfortable who has anything to do with 
 providing or preparing our provender. The grumbler 
 can make himself more disagreeable to those who are 
 unlucky enough to be brought into contact with him, than 
 any other species of " the miserables" attendant on this 
 life. I have known some unmitigated types of this class, 
 but, on making their acquaintance and finding this to be 
 their true character, have got out of their way and kept 
 out, not caring for any benefit that might accrue from 
 their friendship, so much overbalanced by having to listen 
 to their fault-finding diatribes. But if you will favor me 
 with another of those finely flavored cigars, I will not 
 bore you at present with grumblers, or the mischief they 
 do ; and shall Hsten with pleasure to the continuation ot 
 
 the history of Farm, Your Scotch prochvities 
 
 ought to have led you to have named it before the first 
 paddock was built or the first furrow turned. 
 
 Pupil. — And a very good plan the Scotch have of 
 naming every farm, no matter how humble. How much 
 better to refer to a place as Burn-braes, Heathery 
 
66 HOKSE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 Haugh, Rosebank, Hall-dykes, than Smitli's farm, Joneses 
 place, &c., the only way we have of distinguishing the most 
 beautiful places in the country. Should a person name a 
 little farm which he looks at with more fondness and pride 
 than does the owner of "the estate of several thousand 
 acres, his aesthetic taste is laughed at, and he is ridiculed 
 by men who have not many ideas above those of an Es- 
 quimaux, so far as the beautiful is concerned. I will 
 continue my ideal history of the breeding. The place is 
 no fiction, and I have admired it a thousand times, always 
 considering it the best natural farm I ever saw. The 
 present house, situated on the grandly wooded eminence, 
 is a large, massive stone building, with no pretensions to 
 taste. However, the arrangement and size of the rooms 
 are such as to be comfortable for the sheltering of a good 
 many people. It is in the form of an L, but unfortu- 
 nately the angle is on the back side towards the wood. 
 It is placed so near the eastern slope of the hill that all 
 those magnificent trees are in the rear, excepting some 
 of the finest that flank it on the north, forming a second 
 screen as an additional protection from the north wind, 
 which is more effectually shut out by the bluff making an 
 abrupt bend to the east, running in that direction very 
 nearly to the eastern boundary. A few straggling black 
 locusts are the only trees in front, and the fine slope is 
 bare of everything save garden vegetables and current 
 bushes. The road is at the foot and winds round it, so 
 that to an observer, familiar with Western road-making, 
 it looks like a private one, all the others he has traveled 
 following the section lines over hill and dale. The sum- 
 mer has not alone been occupied by watching, feeding 
 find weaning colts, planting crops, and so on. The bare 
 walls have been hidden by a wide verandah on both the 
 eastern and southern sides. The roof has been carried 
 over it so that it projects two or three feet beyond the 
 
THE FABM HOUSE AND GEOUNDS. 67 
 
 pillars supporting the structure. On the second floor it 
 forms a commodious balcony, and the small windows have 
 been enlarged and cut down to the level of the floor, so 
 that when the window is open you step at once on to the 
 balcony. The color of the yellow limestone walls is in har- 
 mony with the scenery and the prairie rose, ivy, honey- 
 suckle and woodbine that are just beginning to chmb up 
 their supports will hide the wood work, resembling the 
 natural festoons that drape the distant rocky bluffs. The 
 slope has been planted with rare specimens of trees and 
 shrubs. The sombre hues of the cedar and hemlock, are 
 relieved by the brighter green of the Norway spruce, its 
 branches hanging in graceful curves from the ground to 
 the summit. These young trees have been planted in 
 groups, which when better grown will be in keeping with 
 the natural growth, forming a foreground to the picture 
 — a wide contrast to the massive oaks in the background, 
 yet appropriate, as there is no glaring incongruity to of- 
 fend the cultivated taste. There is no formal, stiffly laid 
 out flower garden, nor even beds in geometrical figures, 
 but patches of flowers spring up where least expected, 
 greeting you with their bright colors and sweet fragrance. 
 There are a few pots in which are growing those that 
 need the protection of the conservatory in the winter, 
 which has been added to the house on the west side, part 
 of the wall having been removed so that there is a com- 
 munication with it from the library and hving room. 
 Ornamental vases are distributed about the grounds, not 
 placed there to be admired for their beauty of design and 
 richness of sculpture alone, but every one further deco- 
 rated with some plant that gratifies the eye with its unique 
 appearance, or shrouding the pedestal with a mass of foli- 
 age and flowers drooping from the rim. That old stump, 
 from which the tree has been barbarously cut, has been 
 formed into a sun-dial. We do not expect to time our 
 
68 HOKSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 colts witli it, but it has a useful duty to perform in giving 
 us the true time, by which we can regulate our watches, 
 and see that they do not mislead us in the division of our 
 time or the speed of the colts, when they have become so 
 fast that a fraction of a second is of importance. The 
 source of the spring being higher than the house, we have 
 conveyed it there in pipes, giving a plentiful amount of 
 pure water. From its abundance, we supply the fountain 
 in the green-room. The fruit and kitchen garden has 
 been removed to the rear of the conservatory. The barn 
 is back of this, and a httle further east ; approaching the 
 house from which we conveniently reach it under cover 
 of the wood and carriage houses. The sunny yard for 
 the colts is not the only one, there being several separated 
 by close board fences, the boxes of the brood mares open- 
 ing iato them, and one is for the use of the cattle, the 
 gazelle-eyed Alderneys predominating. 
 
 Beyond the yards there is an opening in the heavy 
 timber, of several acres, which had been planted to fruit 
 trees ; but the rabbits reveled there, and it was never re- 
 planted till the present season. They are growing finely, 
 and have been protected from future attacks by a wire 
 fence, the meshes so closely interwoven, that the rabbits wiU 
 be compelled to satisfy their taste for bark with the hazels 
 and sumachs outside. Now that we have noticed the im- 
 provements to beautify and make comfortable our home, 
 we wall take up the colts started into the winter, as you 
 admit, under favorable auspices. The routine of the win- 
 ter season has been explained, and assuming there has 
 been no deviation from the time they got their meals or 
 were tiu'ned out for exercise, you may have found it 
 necessary to divide them into four or five lots, some of 
 them being so timid, that the bolder ones drove them 
 away from then." feed, and generally showed an arbitrary 
 temper to those who would give way. With all ou»" care, 
 
MAEES WITH FOAL. 69 
 
 some of them may have got lousy, infested with parasites 
 that will attack, though rarely, the well fed, well cared-for 
 animal. Those that are found in this situation, are placed 
 by themselves. Many object to the use of mercurial oint- 
 ment ; I have never found any danger in its use or any- 
 thing so effectual to remove them. Rub it along the roots 
 of the mane, and down the back, being careful you do not 
 put it, where in biting themselves, they would be likely 
 to get it. Keep them dry and warm, and a very few days 
 will be sufficient to rid them from these pests, that would 
 soon reduce them to a skeleton if not attended to. 
 
 The twenty-five mares — twenty of them being again 
 with foal — require much the same treatment as the colts, 
 though it is advisable that they should not acquire too much 
 fat. Each one has a box stall for herself, with nothing but 
 a manger and feeding box, and this placed so there wUl 
 be no danger of the mare injuring herseK when rolling. 
 The water is also conducted through the yards, so that 
 aU may drink at their pleasure. Their feed is i;he clover 
 and timothy hay, with com fodder to increase the secre- 
 tion of milk when they have foaled. Bran mashes we 
 would not give, but plenty of carrots and occasional feeds 
 of wheaf^ which I have known the use of to prevent mares 
 from slipping their foals that had always done so before 
 they were thus fed. They should have their feed with 
 the same regularity as the colts, the amount of grain 
 regulated by their condition. Some will need nearly 
 double as much as others, but in no case should enough 
 be given them to accumulate much inside fat, which will 
 surely be detrimental to the foal. We have noted exactly 
 the time of being served ; but as there is a wide differ- 
 ence in the period of gestation of not only different ani- 
 mals, but of the same in different years, it is only a partial 
 guide, and there is no rule known any way near infalhble. 
 Some mares will secrete a great deal of the lactic fluid, 
 
 4 
 
70" HORSE PORTRAITURE, 
 
 and days befoi'e they foal the milk will drop from their 
 udder. Others foal before the secretion takes place. By 
 close observation it is noticed that the depression in the 
 hip is more apparent just before foaling ; this, and the 
 uneasiness of the mare, will be the best tests to rely upon. 
 They should be very carefully watched, but if their box is 
 roomy enough, and the mare is healthy and sound, there 
 is very little danger attending parturition. As in every- 
 thing pertaining to horses, we will find a great dissimilarity 
 between the mothers ; some it is almost dangerous to ap- 
 proach, their affection for their offspring being so great 
 that they are in an agony of fear whenever they perceive 
 any one coming near. Others will not pay any attention 
 to them, while there are stiU others that will not let the 
 foal suck unless compelled ; and I have known a twitch on 
 the nose requisite before they would succumb. Here is 
 one that, though willing enough, has not a drop of milk 
 to furnish. The Alderney is now our dependence. We 
 take some of the rich milk, dilute it with water, add a 
 little sugar, — and a very little patience will teach the part- 
 orphan to drink. 
 
 One of Clipper's colts the past summer lost his mother, 
 when ten days old, by falling through a bridge. His 
 owner brought him up on cow's milk, and I never saw a 
 better grown, better developed four months' colt in my 
 life. He went the round of the fairs, and at every one 
 took the first premium in his class. He could be led on 
 a steamboat or raikoad car with no more dif&culty than 
 a pet dog, and he exhibited more sense in every position 
 than any one would have believed an equine baby could 
 possibly show. He had a bountiful supply, and his ca- 
 pacity for drinking was as deep, though his potations 
 were milder than the famous Knight of the "Whistle. 
 After drinking a bucketful he would neigh for more. 
 
 Our stalhon, the descendant of aristocratic parents, has 
 
THESTALLION. 71 
 
 hardly been treated with the consideration he deserves ; 
 but he has been as well cared for as any other part of the 
 stock. We found him in a southern clime, where he had 
 figured as a good second-rate performer on the turf, run- 
 ning long distances better than short, and from his size, 
 able to carry his appropriate weight in a satisfactory 
 manner. He possesses most of the attributes we were 
 looking for, and only fails in minor points that were not 
 considered essential. In selecting the mares, I was very 
 particular they should be such as were Hkely to " nick " 
 well with his form. The blood, as we said before, in some 
 of them, being rather closely allied, one or two being half- 
 cousins and all very similar in their remote crosses. He 
 was eight years old when bought, and though very kind 
 under saddle, he had never been harnessed. When he 
 was brought here, and after having been walked a few 
 weeks, part of the harness was put on while in the stable, 
 adding it by degi-ees till breeching, traces and collar were 
 all famihar to him. The reins were put on, and he was 
 accustomed to a check, tightened by degrees till he could 
 not get his head below a certain position, not high enough 
 to be a constraint that would annoy him. He was driven 
 every day for a week with the harness dangling about, 
 and for which he never exhibited any signs of fear. He 
 was then placed in the shafts, and went as quietly as if 
 that had been the place to which he was always accus- 
 tomed. I took the precaution to have a kicking-strap 
 put on, though the security was needless so far as he was 
 concerned. Every day the roads were not too muddy he 
 was driven for an hour or two, and whenever a smooth 
 part of the road was found, he was trotted as fast as he 
 could go. Under this system, the fine trotting step he 
 exhibited has increased so much that I am confident he 
 Can trot a mile close to three minutes, and expect before 
 the close of the next season to see him go still faster in 
 
72 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 proportion, as the track will be made and the exercise he 
 will get there will be more likely to benefit his speed than 
 all work on the road. 
 
 I find I am talking just as if this farm and stock were 
 no longer an imaginary one, and until I made the pause, 
 was so much carried away describing it, that it was as 
 vivid as if real. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — There must be some magical properties in 
 this cigar, akin to the wonderful eastern plant that made 
 captive the senses of those who inhaled it. I have been 
 completely transported to the land of plenty where your 
 colts are froUcking. That gi'and country has been opened 
 since my active days have passed, or rather its capabihties 
 were not understood tiU a comparatively recent period. 
 I always associate the Mississippi with the bark canoe of 
 the Indian, and the prairie as a marshy plain almost lim- 
 itless, where tail grass and flowers conceal the rattle- 
 snake and venomous Massassagua, with the buffaloes, in 
 countless myriads, roaming over a waste reeking with 
 malaria that totally imfitted it for the abode of civilized 
 man. Of course, these crude ideas may be far from the 
 truth, but I find it difficult to replace them with others, 
 and cannot but think you might more advantageously 
 have located it nearer some of the great horse marts of 
 the country. 
 
 Pupil. — Those' prairies that are to you flat, marshy 
 grounds unfit for anything save reptile life, are one of 
 the gi-andest sights God has vouchsafed to us poor mis- 
 erable sinners. But you will have to go still further west 
 than the right shore of the mighty river, to see them in 
 their glory at this late day. Man has spoiled their beauty 
 in one sense, in cutting them up into farms, and disfigur- 
 ing them with fences and plowed fields. 
 
 Fancy yourself on an eminence overlooking mUes of 
 waving biUowy verdure. Near you the deep green of the 
 
THE WESTEEN PKAIEIES. 73 
 
 gi'ass is relieved by flowers of brilliant hue, scattered 
 over the wild expanse. Streams are glistening in the 
 sunlight, their banks fringed vnth elms, the drooping, 
 spray-like branches resting on the willow tops, that seem 
 to be springing from the crystal flood. 
 
 " The mild waves bathe the woods, the woods the wave o'ershade." 
 You can mark their course for miles by the green bor- 
 dering. The distant outline of the hills looks like a dream 
 of land when in mid-ocean. A herd of deer are quietly 
 grazing, apparently so near, from the clearness of the air, 
 that you mark every line in their gracefiil forms. A soli- 
 tary bald eagle is wheeling in circles over your head. 
 
 The few fleecy clouds that are sailing along so majesti- 
 cally before the western breeze, throw deep shadows that 
 chase each other adown the slope and across the valleys. 
 You are lost in the immensity of space, the earth ap- 
 pearing as boundless as the sky. 
 
 But you have not seen haK the beauties of the prairie, 
 unless so fortunate as to behold a sunset ; and to fully 
 appreciate this you must be alone. 
 
 When looking for land on the waters that empty into 
 the Missouri, I frequently got so far from habitations that 
 I was obhged to spend the night on the prairie. My horse 
 shackled and turned out to graze, I have sat and watched 
 the sun as it lit up the western horizon in a blaze of glory. 
 Sometimes large masses of cloud would lie in huge frag- 
 ments, their edges at first only gilded, when, as the sun 
 sank, the dense foreground became gi-adually lighted up, 
 till the whole was of such a gorgeous hue that the eye 
 was pained looking dii'ectly at it. The reflected light, 
 mellowed as it fell, gave the whole prairie the semblance 
 of being no longer of earth, but happy hunting grounds 
 lit up by the shadow of God. 
 
 In this dreamy, golden air, things could be seen nearly 
 as distinct as in the blaze of noon-tide, only everything 
 
% HORSE PORTRAIT UK E. 
 
 would have a weird-like appearance. The groves would 
 seem no longer dark-green masses of foliage, but floating 
 in the distance, as if the topaz-colored clouds had 
 descended from heaven and were resting on a sea of 
 amber, into which emptied rivers of molton gold. 
 
 I will not tire you with my dreamings on the praii'ie, 
 but give you some solid reasons for preferring the rich 
 soil of Iowa to that of any other Northern State, as a 
 place to breed fine trotting horses. 
 
 The surface of Iowa is generally rolling, in some places 
 it might be termed hilly, which not only insures proper 
 drainage, but the difference of level permitting the sub- 
 terraneous reservoii-s to break out in springs, — the most 
 convenient way of obtaining a supply of pure water. A 
 rolling surface is also better for the production of the 
 finer varieties of grasses, which hardly ever grow on 
 an extended level. These are not the only advantages. 
 Horses bred on the fens of Lincolnshire, and other coun- 
 tries similar to them, have large flat feet with thin horn, 
 their bones are porous, and the carcass too heavy for 
 the legs. The dry soil gives the reverse — well-shaped 
 feet, with the horn smooth, tough and elastic, the bones 
 dense as ivory, and the muscles, aU being called in ser- 
 vice running up and down the hills, well developed. 
 
 Though nearly aU the very fast horses eventually find 
 their way to New York, there are other markets where 
 remunerative prices are given for those of every grade. 
 
 Chicago is conveniently reached, — that wonderful place 
 that has grown upon the marshy shore of the lake so 
 rapidly, that men now living, of middle age, have hunted 
 wolves and shot ducks where now stately edifices reach 
 for miles. The marble walls of the magnificent Opera- 
 house enclose ground where, forty years ago, the fringed 
 alder sheltered the nest of the aquatic fowl. Chicago, 
 however, will merit more attention than can be given 
 
WESTERN CITIES. 75 
 
 now. When we get our horses ready, I must insist on 
 your accompanying me to the races at that place, where I 
 will insure you a hearty welcome from, the hosts of ad- 
 mirers the fast horse has there ; when you will "see 
 sights " that no city on the face of the globe can equal. 
 
 The river that almost washes the eastern hne of the 
 stud farm, furnishes the easiest and safest method of 
 transporting horses, and it does not require a map 
 to remember the grand towns lying along its shores. 
 St. Louis, the "King City" of the West, with its miles 
 of levee and hundreds of steamboats ; Memphis, New Or- 
 leans, &c., &c. But as aU these places have been marked 
 to be visited during the fall and winter campaign, I will 
 say nothing at present about them ; and as our stipulated 
 nooning is now ended, I am anxious to show you the ju- 
 venile division now awaiting your scrutiny at the barn. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — I shall certainly take great pleasure in 
 making the trip you contemplate, if your horses turn 
 out good enough to travel with. All my ideas are asso- 
 ciated with the Atlantic seaboard, and it will be a novelty 
 to see the portion you extol so highly; and though I can see 
 nothing that will overbalance the benefits easily obtained 
 here, will look with a favorable eye on the country where 
 you have located your home. I remember, many years 
 ago, falling in with an old sallow-faced woman who had 
 just retui-ned from the West. She summed up a not very 
 flattering description of the country with the remark, 
 that " it was an amazin' fine country for men and dogs, 
 but an onkimmon hard one for wimmin and horses." 
 
CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 THE COLTS — TRAINING TEACKS — ABOtTT HORSES BREAKINGI — 
 PEDIGREE AND DESCRIPTION OF KING. 
 
 PcpHi. — Boys, bring out tlie colts. "We will have tliein 
 all out at once where you can take a general view ; and 
 without wishing to appear egotistical in praising my own 
 stock, must say they are of better appearance than a ma- 
 jority of trotters. They are all half bred, and some of 
 them have as pui'e a pedigree, if not as fashionable, as 
 either Asteroid or Kentucky. This one may have seen 
 too many summers to be fairly termed a colt. In fact, 
 the question of "can a filly have a foal?" once pro- 
 pounded by "a young turfman," can be settled in her 
 case, as she was a mother before shedding all of her milk- 
 teeth. This circumstance prevented her being b-ained, 
 and with the exception of a Httle work when three years 
 old, she is not much better acquainted with how to handle 
 herself in a trot than the others, several years younger. 
 
 As I previously remarked, I will be obliged if you will 
 assist me in naming the neophytes, though I have done 
 so usually on the spiu' of the moment, not expecting they 
 would always wear their titles. But as with the young aspi- 
 rants in chivalry, the names would answer liU they had 
 shown by their devoira that they were worthy the fitting 
 ornaments of golden spurs and a distinctive name. On a 
 beautiful morning the first of May, I found this mare stand- 
 ing by her mother. The bright natal morning suggested a 
 name of itself, and May-Flower, Queen of the May, May- 
 
THECOLT,MAT. 77 
 
 Queen, May-Day, all presented themselves. The last was 
 finally settled on, abbreviated to simply May. She was 
 the first of the Falcon's get, and I had awaited with a 
 great deal of anxiety to see how his first-born would ap- 
 pear. She was a crooked, big-jointed foal, with the head 
 and eye of a gazelle, and I need not add, pleased me, 
 though many called her too long in the pasterns, and a 
 homely, ill-shaped brute every way. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — This is truly a very fine lot of colts, and 
 I do not wonder you take pride in showing them. Had I 
 not been better informed, I would have taken them for a 
 stable of stake colts, and would have expected to see the 
 paraphernalia of racing hung up in their stalls. No one 
 would ever have thought from the appearance of this 
 mare that she had performed the fond and pleasing du- 
 ties of maternity. 
 
 She certainly is no discredit to her sire, though she 
 falls greatly below him in perfection of form. Her fore- 
 hand is superb, but the loin lacks in strength, her ragged 
 hips making it look worse than it really is. The worst 
 fault I see is her hind legs below the hock : they are a 
 trifle cut away, and have not the set that quite pleases 
 me. They are a little too crooked, and too much after 
 the pattern called "cow hocked." The hock itself is 
 good, which also can be said of the canon, pastern and 
 foot. 
 
 I shall be agreeably disappointed if we do not need the 
 protection of boots on these crooked shanks. As to her 
 name, " handsome is as handsome does," and we will let 
 her keep her appropriate title till we think her worthy of 
 a better. The name itself is good enough, and I would 
 not suggest a change had it not been given to several be- 
 fore her day. 
 
 PuprL. — You came very near the truth, thinking this 
 animal would need some protection. In the little I have 
 
78 HORSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 driven her she has troubled me by cutting between the 
 hoof and pastern joint. I ascribed it to breaking on a 
 half-mile that had four rather sharp quarter-circles for 
 turns. When going round these she would sidle against 
 the near shaft, trotting as you frequently see a dog, plac- 
 ing the off hind foot between the fore-legs, being more 
 inclined to do it when not at full speed. I have tried a 
 variety of boots, but none seemed effectual. I am con- 
 vinced the sharp turns were the cause, as I drove her for 
 a time on the road when she never brushed a hair. 
 
 This one next her is also by the Falcon, her dam by a 
 Morgan horse, her grand-dam an Ohio mare with some 
 pretensions to breeding. You will not be able to discern 
 any of the Morgan taint in her appearance, the purer 
 stream having quite obHterated the mongrel. She skims 
 over the ground so easily, and with so little apparent 
 effort that I have named her Hirondelle. Delle is her 
 stable-appellation. She is very highly strung, but docile 
 as a pet dog. 
 
 The only trouble she has occasioned me is her anxiety 
 to overdo herself. When asked to trot fast she will rush at 
 it as if she were emulating Flora Temple in her electric 
 flights of speed ; of course, not having the same control 
 of her hmbs, the brush is only a short distance, when she 
 goes with the same determination into a run, and a 
 person not acquainted with her would be sure she was 
 going to run away. A strong pull will keep her from 
 breaking for a little while, but I was so fearful of getting 
 more of these torments that I never would pull against 
 her, hoping that time would correct the bad habit. 
 
 PhECEPTOE. — This httle brown is certainly a beauty, and 
 a rare feather in the plume of Falcon. Her form is al- 
 most as faultless as his, although so widely different. The 
 name is very good, though if I had owned her, she should 
 have been called Fenella, after the sprite who was so airy 
 
PKIVATE TRAININ'G TRACKS. 79 
 
 in her movements. You liave acted judiciously in not 
 tugging at her, as with her resolution she would have 
 been desperate in her efforts to get rid of the torture of 
 the bit. We will " bide our time " with her, and my word 
 for it, she will well repay for the probation. 
 
 There is no doubt but the short turns of the half-mile 
 track had a good deal to do in teaching May the pro- 
 voking dog movement you speak of. These half-mile 
 courses are the bane of many a good trotter, and unfit as 
 they are for a horse that has acquired his gait, they are 
 still worse to teach a colt that, as yet, does not know how 
 to handle his feet. In making private training tracks, 
 there is not much necessity for paying great attention to 
 grading. So that the surface is smooth, the undulations 
 may be beneficial, and the work that is generally put in a 
 half-mile track would make one double the length. Neither 
 is there any need of emulating the courses where many 
 horses are expected to start in a race ; and if a man we^-e 
 to offer to build me one for nothing, I would restrict it l;o 
 a width so that there would only be room for two horstjs 
 to trot abreast. The advantage of a narrow track is that 
 you are compelled to teach your horses to recover from a 
 break without being swung over a width of forty feet. 
 This capacity for catching the trot without deviating from 
 a straight line, is of vital importance in a race, giving im- 
 mense advantage over a horse accustomed to be snatched 
 and yawed all over the track. On almost every farm fit 
 for breeding purposes, there is ground sufficient to get a 
 mile, provided the maker is not afraid of going up and 
 down moderate elevations and depressions. It is imma- 
 terial about the distance being exactly the mile, and 
 should be governed by and adapted to the configura- 
 tion of the ground. The best for.m is to have the sides 
 straight and parallel, connected by a semi-circle at the 
 ends ; the curve as easy as can be got, the outside raised 
 
80 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 a good deal the highest. The soil that would suit me 
 best for a training track would be a sandy loam, free 
 from stones and gravel. 
 
 Pupil. — Wait till you visit the glorious West, when I 
 will show you the soil, of all others, best adapted for a 
 track. I will defer my description of it till we come to 
 making the track on the place where I am turning the 
 thorough-bred into trotters. The slight antipathy you 
 have to the experiment, I hope will be done away with 
 as yoLi become better acquainted with these colts and 
 their performances before the summer is ended. This 
 fiUy is by Endorser, dam by Boston. She ran very cred- 
 itably when two years old, and has now just been broken 
 to harness. She shows a trotting step that is a good deal 
 Uke the one described in the old Enghsh song : 
 
 " Come, I ride as good a trotting horse as any in the town, 
 Trot you sixteen miles within the hour, I'll lay you fifty pounds. 
 He gathers up his knees so smart, and tucks his haimches in," &c. 
 
 She is as handsome as Delle, and has the advantage of 
 being a color that is much more showy. It is rare in- 
 deed, common as chestnut horses are, to find one of this 
 bright golden color that looks Hke sun-painting, the gor- 
 g'eous day-beams absorbed and reflected from the silken 
 hair. The two white hind legs, and the broad stripe run- 
 ning so truly down the face, relieve and make the brilliant 
 color still more to be admired. 
 
 Before leaving home I was showing her to a fi-iend, 
 who takes great dehght in driving the finest and fastest 
 trotters, — and, by the way, is the one who gave me the 
 cigars you pronounce so good, — remarking to him what 
 he would consider her worth if she could trot in " thirty." 
 His answer was, if he owned her, and she could trot in 
 that time, or a little faster, there was no man in the United 
 States rich enough to buy her. He had often argnied with 
 me on the uselessness of the race horse, but he had lo 
 
FALCOlf'S COLTS. 81 
 
 admit that, for beauty of form and the high quaHty ex- 
 hibited by this filly, it was needless to look for them in 
 any other family. My asking your aid in naming these 
 colts you will think like an invitation to dinner the day 
 after the event, all of them being already known by some 
 title, yet as they have never figured in record or story, I 
 wUl be glad to change them, should you obHge me by 
 offering anything fitter. I call her Mavourneen. 
 
 Preceptoe. — A very appropriate and significant name 
 for this young beauty — a type of equine harmony, as you 
 truly remarked, only found in the thoroughbred, vnth ten 
 generations of pure blood flowing in its veins. 
 
 She appears as conscious of her noble ancestry as the 
 tartaned chieftain, whose pedigree runs back to the days 
 of Fingal, and who stalks over the heath of his native 
 mountain, as if all the heroic deeds of his illustrious pro- 
 genitors were within his own reach, and could be outdone 
 by the strength of his arm and valor of his heart, requir- 
 ing only another Ossian to sing him to glory. 
 
 Sho -lid this filly's temper be in keeping with her form, 
 the name will be still more suitable, and she will then be 
 our darling. 
 
 Pupix. — This is another colt of the Falcon's. Her four 
 white feet and blazed face induced via to call her Oriole, 
 and certainly no animal was ever more fancifully marked. 
 The old prejudice against " four white feet and a white 
 nose " has been so effectually done away with by some of 
 the most noted horses, that I am not afraid to admit my 
 fondness for it, when so beautifully penciled, as is the case 
 with this filly. When Lexington run his match against 
 the famed Sallie Waters, some would-be wit shouted to 
 take him off the track, quoting the old couplet. He took 
 off the track many a dollar which the mare's backers so 
 lavishly loaded her with at a hundred to fifty. I saw him 
 in the show-ring at the St. Louis Fail' in 1859, and have 
 
82 iaORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 lately had the pleasure of reading a piece of poetry to 
 commemorate that event. The perusal of that pleased 
 me, finding I was not the only one who had been struck 
 with the grandeur of his appearance, heightened by the 
 darkened orbs, which was the only reason given for in- 
 vesting an inferior, though still noble, animal with the 
 blue ribbon. His groom tried to lead him in alone, but 
 he dashed about so wildly among the trees outside the 
 amphitheatre, that the restraining force of two stalwart 
 men was necessary to keep him from injuring himself ; 
 and when the multitude greeted his appearance with tu- 
 multuous shouts and frantic clapping of hands, he stood 
 a moment immovable, every muscle quivering with energy, 
 his glossy coat ghstening in the sunlight, flecked with 
 spots of white foam ; the swelling veins appearing as if 
 they would break through the thin covering which hid 
 neither them nor the tension of the muscles, now rigid as 
 steel bars. It was hardly for the space of a second he 
 thus stood, striving against the loss of vision as if he 
 would strain the useless eye-balls out of their sockets, 
 when he bounded as though the trumpet had sounded to 
 start him in another victorious race. These shouts to him 
 were familiar, as they had before reverberated on his ear 
 on the sj)ringy Metairie or Classical Association grounds 
 at Lexington, and he could only associate them with vic- 
 tories won, knowing the power was still in his sinewy 
 limbs to repeat the feat. The darkened veil hid that vast 
 assemblage from his sight, but as the garlands of bright 
 flowers woven by the fair fingers of the daughters of the 
 sunny South were placed on his neck, and chaplets of 
 every hue graced his brow, he became quieter, as if aware 
 it was the guerdon due his former prowess. He strode 
 out of the ring with elastic step, his unrivalled pasterns 
 enabling him to walk as gracefully as though he could see 
 the way. 
 
BREAKING. 83 
 
 This j&lly's dam I knew notliing about, she having been 
 fuTind astray on the large bottom at the junction of a 
 river with the Mississippi. As you will perceive, her form 
 is good, though her temper is more sluggish than any 
 ether of her sire's get. When first harnessed, she seemed 
 to know just what was wanted of her; and anxious to 
 obey, she takes very naturally to trotting, possessing a 
 right handy step; but when forced to go faster, will roll 
 and hitch, trying her best to go as fast as wanted, before 
 she leaves her feet. 
 
 Pkeceptob. — I would not be surprised if this strongly 
 made, quiet filly, made the fastest or rather the most re- 
 liable trotter in the string. From her general appearance 
 she has undoubtedly plenty of resolution when aroused. 
 Her dociHty of temper i-s a great assistance akeady gained, 
 as those that are as nervous as Delle and Mavourneen 
 require very careful usage to overcome its bad effects. 
 You must be careful not to spoil the naturally handy step 
 by forcing her to what you yet cannot expect her to do. 
 A good breaker is a great advantage in a race when you 
 can force him along at the topmost rate without being 
 fearful of the consequences of leaving his feet, which if 
 he does is no detriment. But we all know how trying it 
 is for the judges to withstand the clamor of, " See him 
 run;" "He gained every time he broke;" "Set him back 
 according to rule, and he will not win the heat." I am 
 well aware that very few, even among the good breakers, 
 gain anything by breaking, if the drivers do their duty by 
 endeavoring to catch them at once. Yet it is a matter of 
 great annoyance to owners, and judges as well as drivers, 
 to listen to the complaints of those who, having at the 
 outside five dollars invested in the race, make more noise 
 and disturbance than others losing thousands. I there- 
 fore always try to teach my horses not to break, but to 
 depend on a steady, constant trot, that will carry them 
 
84 HOESEPOETEAITURE. 
 
 to their more ambitious rivals before they get down the 
 home stretch. This filly, if judiciously driven, will never 
 know anything- about breaking, and time must be taken 
 with her as well as the headstrong Delle, so that she wiU 
 not roll and hitch behind, — a gait easier acquired than for- 
 gotten. As to the christening, it is easier to find fault 
 with a thing than to mend it. I suppose, as you say, the 
 white and black coat gave you the idea of Oriole, as well 
 as keeping up the ornithological names in the family. 
 Not being familiar with a science that delighted Wilson 
 and Audubon, I cannot say how appropriate it is. She is 
 marked more like a bobolink than any other bird with 
 which I am acquainted, but that name would not sound as 
 smoothly as the one she wears. The next colt is rather 
 a different looking customer from the rest ; he has not 
 shed his coat yet, and is very thin. Quite a difference 
 from the others, who are so plumj) and well fed. You 
 must have picked him up where feed was scarce. 
 
 Pupil. — This rough-coated, starved looking three-year- 
 old is, after the Falcon, my chief favorite, and in place of 
 picking him up at some cross road, I watched for his ap- 
 pearance into this world with as much anxiety as the lover 
 does for the apj)roach of his mistress. When his mother 
 was bred to the Falcon, I made up my mind that the pro- 
 duct would not only be A No. 1, but would be a practical 
 exemplification of the theory I have advanced for many a 
 year. She is a bay mare, of rather more than the average 
 size, say 15| hands, and is very high form. Her sire was 
 Alex. Chui'chill, a horse that had a high reputation in 
 Kentucky, and weU he might, having run a four-mile heat 
 in 7:41 — with one exception, the best time ever made 
 there up to this day. He was by imported Zinganee, 
 dam by Bertrand. The mare's dam was by Cherokee ; 
 her grand-dam a mare that always threw a winner. This 
 pedigree shows her to have several crosses of Sir Archy ; 
 
AWILDCOLT. 85 
 
 and as the Falcon also runs back to the same distin- 
 gtiished source, through Lady Lightfoot, Henry, Bacchus 
 and young Janus. She was a race nag of no ordinary ca- 
 pacity, beating, among others. Little Flea, Lithgow and 
 Diamond. Her. trotting step is very fine, swinging oft' 
 with such a loose, open gait that only needs cultivation 
 to make fast. When this fellow eventually made his de- 
 but, my anxiety was put at rest so far as shape was con- 
 cerned. There never was a better made foal dropj)ed. 
 It being my usual custom to handle the foal from the 
 very outset, I made my approach cautiously, but never 
 deer or untamed stag was more frightened than he. He 
 rushed at the sides of the box as though he would break 
 them down. Thinking, if once cornered and caught, he 
 would be likely to forget his great fright, I got hold of him 
 and sincerely believe if I had held him ten minutes his 
 heart would have burst. His efforts were as frantic as the 
 struggles of a madman, and after releasing him his heart 
 beat so violently, that it shook his fi'ame. As he grew 
 older he became worse, and if a person went into the 
 stall, no matter how cautiously, his excitement was in- 
 tense. When the mare was turned out to pasture, he 
 would not mingle with the other colts, and if he chose 
 to play, it was always by himself. When his mother was 
 brought up to feed, he stalked majestically in the rear, 
 every motion showing that he was fearful of falling into 
 an ambush, and was on the alert to prevent it. His dam 
 proved a poor suckler, and though bruised oats and car- 
 rots were fed her, she would not even nibble at the tempt- 
 ing food. That fall he was thin in flesh, but rather above 
 the ordinary size, and as the mare was not in foal, I de- 
 termined to let him suck through the winter. The box 
 was roomy, and, after he became familiarized with Hving 
 there, I placed a feed box out of the reach of the mare, 
 and fixed her own too high for him to reach it. He would 
 
86 HORSE PORTKAITURE. 
 
 never touch the food if he thought he was observed, and 
 I have watched him from a position where I knew he could 
 not see me, but never during the whole winter detected 
 him feeding. The mess that was put in the box would be 
 gone by morning ; and the amount inci^ased till he was 
 eating as much or more than any colt on the place, though 
 he still kept poor. The following summer was much the 
 same ; he keej)ing up his dignity by never joining the 
 other colts, feeding alongside his mother ; when she went 
 among the other mares, he kept aloof, as if there was deg- 
 radation in the association. That winter he had the box 
 to himself, but no change took place in either his appear- 
 ance or habits. 
 
 Towards spring, I made up my mind to halter-break 
 him, and taking advantage of a deep fall of snow, so that 
 he would be less hkely to injure himself, I had to get 
 the assistance of two men to get the halter on him. We 
 thought it the best way to Rareyize, or rather, to place 
 the merit where it belongs, follow Dennis Offut's plan, but 
 here was a case where it was apparent it would not do. 
 When laid down, after the most tremendous struggle I 
 ever witnessed, you could see he would never succumb 
 till life was extinct. Every muscle was swollen, the eyes 
 bloodshot, and his whole appearance hke a horse suffering 
 with lockjaw. I undid the straps, put a long rope on the 
 halter, determined that if he could not be broken without 
 these much vaunted appliances he should remain as he 
 was. He sprung away as far as the rope would allow, and 
 when found he could get no further, he commenced walk- 
 ing in a circle, his eye never for an instant neglecting to 
 watch my movements. 
 
 I continued this treatment from day to day, until he 
 would follow, but always at the extreme leng-th of the 
 rope. Spring-time came, and I was away from home till 
 July. It was not thought safe to allow him to run in the 
 
''KING OF THE GHOSTS.'* 87 
 
 tield, so lie was confined to a small paddock, and fed all the 
 grain and liay he would eat. "When I came home, I led 
 him out with the long rein, and he would pick the clover 
 blades if you kept at a proper distance, but as yet would 
 not suffer the least aj)proach to familiarity. Now he has 
 so far relaxed his vigilance that you can place your hand 
 on his neck, but any further advances are repelled with a 
 resentment that is determination itself. The long jour- 
 ney in the cars has proved beneficial in partially subduing 
 this refractory temper. The novelty of the situation has 
 given him some new ideas which I hope can be taken ad- 
 vantage of. While in the cars he would suffer a surcingle 
 to be laid on his back, a proceeding which would have 
 made him frantic at home. I am convinced that it is 
 neither timidity nor fear, as he never even started at the 
 approach of the locomotive, and preserved his equanimity 
 on the most trying occasions. I am well satisfied that, 
 when once broken, he will be rehable, and the very quali- 
 ties that have troubled me so much will prove of vast 
 benefit when placed under proper control. One great 
 argument advanced against the thoroughbred is their 
 irritabihty and high temper. That they possess the last 
 qualification, I am ready to admit, and without it, would 
 not be of the same value. Their vices and irrascibility 
 have, in ninety-nine cases in a hundred, resulted from im- 
 proper breaking. I have full faith we can teach this colt 
 what we want him to learn, and have brought him along, as 
 I would not trust him in other hands. My youngest little 
 girl dubbed him " King of the Ghosts," and when asked 
 the reasons for naming him, said he would not play with 
 the other colts, and looked just as the horse did that was 
 buried under the big cottonwood tree ; that the fairies 
 must certainly have brought him, as he neither looked or 
 acted hke a human horse, being determined that mortal 
 straps or harness should never interfere with his free mo- 
 
88 HOESEPOKTRAITURE. 
 
 tions. We have retained tlie King part, and I am not 
 without hopes that " of hotter?, " may yet be added. I 
 have now paraded all the inmates of the trial stable, and, 
 if the description has been tedious, you may congratulate 
 yourself like the man just recovered from the smaU-pox, 
 that although he was badly scarred and seamed he would 
 not have to go through with it again. 
 
 Peeceptor. — I do not say from courtesy alone that your 
 descriptions have not wearied me. Your enthusiasm in 
 all that pertains to the horse, even your fervid admiration 
 of the blood horse, that leads you to such a length that 
 some of your positions will be untenable, please me. When 
 we have leisiu-e time, as we sit on the verandah and smoke, 
 you must continue your history of the Iowa farm. As for 
 this young scion of nobility, I have been examining him 
 more closely while you were recounting his history, and 
 find him a very different animal from what my first im- 
 pression was. There is certainly no flesh in the way to 
 hide the study of the osseous structure. He will never 
 equal his sire in justness of proportion, though he has 
 more of his peculiar build than any of the rest of the 
 colts. I will not offer a word of advice as to breaking 
 him: convinced that your experience in that line has been 
 greater than mine. I will look on with interest, as he is 
 undoubtedly as hard a customer as could be found; and 
 if you succeed in making him " gentle and reUable," there 
 is nothing in the way of making him a trotter. 
 
 I must now bid you good-bye, ha\'ing business in town. 
 By the time the horses have had their morning walk I 
 will be here, when we will take the Falcon, Never Mind, 
 and Jane, to the shop, and have shoes put on that will do 
 for them to commence work in. 
 
 Have the boys wet some tow and place in their feet to 
 Boften the horn, and only walk them an hour. 
 
CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 WAIiKING AND SHOEING. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Good morning, scholar. Providence has 
 again blessed us with another fine morning, — so fine that 
 my heart responds with gratitude to the Great Father for 
 the many beautiful mornings he has permitted us to enjoy. 
 This " sweet habit of existence " is doubly sweet when the 
 merry month of May proves so lovely. I have thought the 
 English poets have given it too much prominence over the 
 month of June, There is probably a difi'erence in their 
 cHmate that gives it the precedence, or they would not 
 have been so unanimous in their expressions of fondness. 
 One of the gi-andest of that grand body thus apostro- 
 phises it : — 
 
 " For thee, sweet montli, the groves green liveries wear, 
 If not the first, the fairest of the year ; 
 For thee the graces lead the dancing hours, 
 And Nature's ready pencil paints the flowers." 
 
 Pupil. — I shall certainly coincide with you in preferring 
 June to May, in our northern latitudes ; but the air is as 
 balmy and fragrant tliis morning as could be wished, and 
 the budding flowers and springing leaves are greatly to 
 be admired. The remembrance of the stinging blasts of 
 winter is yet fresh in our memory, and the contrast height- 
 ens the enjoyment. In England, the spring opening earher 
 than here. May has usurped all of the praises due its 
 flowery reign. Ancient customs have marked this month 
 as proper for the return of gaiety, partially suspended 
 during the dreary period of winter. The Christmas fes- 
 
90 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 tivities partake of a religious character; but now Venus 
 and Flora are the presiding deities, when young hearts 
 pay their orisons at the shrine of the first and seek the 
 aid of the latter to be more refined and tasteful in the 
 tlisplay of their devotions. To continue your quotation 
 from " Glorious John :" — 
 
 " The sprightly May commands our youth to keep 
 The vigils of their night, and breaks their sleep : 
 Each gentle breast with kindly warmth she moves — 
 Inspires new flames, revives extinguished loves." 
 
 One great advantage we possess in our climate is, that 
 there is no time of the year that a reasonable man can 
 well find fault with. Foggy November is one of the most 
 enjoyable months in the year — at least in the West, — and, 
 in fact, the biting cold of the winter is only for a few days 
 at a time ; in the intervening portions, the air gives a zest 
 to the sleigh-ride, manthng the cheek of beauty with roses 
 that outdo those of the growth of this genial month. 
 
 We have followed your directions, and the horses ai'e 
 now ready to start for the blacksmith shop. If it is a 
 distance that will be inconvenient to walk, we will harness 
 Falcon to the road wagon. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — ^It is only a short mile from here, and the 
 walk will do us as much good as the horses. The walk will 
 also enable me to give you my ideas in regard to that exer- 
 cise. When in my boyhood's days I was with the stable of 
 race horses, all the exercises were more protracted than at 
 present, more especially the walk. One trainer I was ac- 
 quainted with hardly gave his horses time to eat or sleep, 
 but kept up a continual round of exercise from early in 
 the morning till sundown. I have frequently seen his 
 horses in such a state of exhaiistion from this continuous 
 labor, that they could not run a mile in 2:05. He was 
 quite successful, however, notwithstanding this bad treat- 
 ment. A week or ten days before they had to run in a 
 
EXCESSIVE WALKIIS'G. 91 
 
 race, he would throw them up, giving only short gallops 
 and very little walk, thus bringing their foot back without 
 enough time elajDsing to accumulate inside fat. It was 
 a perilous system to follow. I knew several to attempt it, 
 and the result to them was always failure. He knew just 
 how far to go, and when to ease them before their powers 
 were to be tested in a race. I have seen one of his horses, 
 after having concluded the work marked out for him to 
 do, neigh before leaving the track. Another mile or two, 
 with sharp work in the stretches, was sure to be the sen- 
 tence, — this display of exuberant animal feehngs being 
 always certain to be followed by extended work till the 
 time came for the cessation. 
 
 The general custom then was to walk three times a day, 
 no matter what the animal was. The gallops would be 
 varied according to the different requirements of the 
 horses; but it never entered the trainer's head that the 
 slower gait needed variations on account of difference in 
 temperament or form — the flighty, narrow-waisted, deli- 
 cate feeder getting just as much as the sluggish, heavy 
 made, phlegmatic individual, that took everything as qui- 
 etly as if he had no care or ambition to do more than he 
 was absolutely compelled. Races, either running or trot- 
 ting, are short periods of violent exertion, when every 
 muscle is called upon to perform to its utmost endeavor. 
 The training, then, is to enable the animal to accomplish 
 this as easily as possible. 
 
 In ancient times, Hercules and Mercury were associated 
 as patrons of the Olympic games to show that force must 
 be accompanied by address. Our aim, then, should be to 
 balance force and address so that their proj)ortions will 
 harmonize, and while we increase the strength, be cau- 
 tious to employ means that wOl not interfere with agility. 
 Walking has a great part to perforin in fitting a horse 
 for rapid locomotion. 
 
^2 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 Should all the exercise be at a fast pace, the machine 
 would soon fly to pieces. There can be no rule laid down 
 to say how much of this exercise must be given ; as the 
 requirements for different constitutions will vary more 
 than is generally thought. The practice most followed 
 is to send the horses all out at once, and bring them in at 
 the same time, which is certainly erroneous. I have often 
 asked trainers, why they walked their horses ; and nine 
 out of ten could give no reasons, only that such had been 
 the custom. The walli, if not carried too fai-, gives sup- 
 pleness to the muscles, increases the appetite by giving 
 tone to the stomach, furnishes pure air to the lungs, so 
 that the blood is thoroughly oxygenated and the nerve 
 force augmented in a way that I cannot explaia, but which 
 is evident in the general increase of health. If the exer- 
 cise is too mu.ch prolonged, the ligaments are strained and 
 lose their elasticity. The sensitive membrane is inflamed 
 that covers them, and the joints are injured by the con- 
 tinual strain. The monotony of the walk must be over- 
 come by changing the ground so often that the horses 
 may be reheved by seeing different objects to attract their 
 attention. The custom of clothing a horse heavily during 
 these diurnal rounds I also think is wrong, and in my 
 practice I have discontinued it. I cannot understand why 
 it should be beneficial, and have often asked those who 
 follow it to explain the advantages. This has never been 
 done satisfactorily to me. Some say that it hardens the 
 flesh. This is much better done by exercise. Others, that 
 the horse must be protected from taking cold. If it is 
 necessary to wear a heavy blanket, thick kersey cover and 
 hood to do this, I am much mistaken, and think the fan- 
 cied prevention only causes the animal to become more 
 delicate. Men who clothe in the stable according to the 
 exigencies of the weather never think of changing the 
 walking garments so long as perspiration is not induced. 
 
SWEATING — SHOEING. 93 
 
 The disadvantages are, that, when it becomes necessary to 
 sweat a horse, the number of blankets required is in an 
 increased ratio to what he has worn in the stable and 
 wliile walking, the system having adapted itself to this 
 artificial covering, hke men who wear their winter habits 
 throughout the summer, professing no more inconvenience 
 than those who resort to linen and nankeen. 
 
 How beautifully Nature works for the welfare of her 
 children, is exempHfied in the care with which she changes 
 the horse's covering, to suit the changes of temperature. 
 The thin coat of summer is shed in the fall, to give place 
 to one that is* more of a protection again st the inclement 
 air. With the advance of spring there is another change, 
 and when the hot summer days come, a third molting 
 takes place, and the thinnest of covers is all that is 
 granted. 
 
 My remarks have been apphcable only to the walk, as 
 a means of exercise, previous to commencing faster v>^ork. 
 When the pace is quickened, and the walks are necessarily 
 shortened in the morning, even in some cases done away 
 with, we wiU discuss while the horses are actually engaged, 
 and we can note the effect. The walk, then, has a still 
 "nore important duty to perform, viz : — obviating the dan- 
 ger attending " cooling off." Having now arrived at the 
 smithy, we will proceed to the business in hand. If you 
 have studied the works of the various writers on shoeing, 
 you will perceive I follow an entirely different plan from 
 any they have recommended. I do not want you to take 
 my dictum as gospel, and wiU give you the reasons I have 
 for shoeing horses after my plan. It was formerly my 
 custom to have the shoes for the front feet made flat and 
 wide on the ground surface, with a small steel calk in at 
 the toe to prevent weai'. The web of the shoe was tapered 
 from the toe to the heel, and the fuller or crease cut deeply, 
 so that the heads of the nails would be on a level with the 
 
 5 
 
94 HOESB POKTKAITURB. 
 
 surface. The inner part had a flat bearing of about half 
 an inch in width for the nail to rest on, then made con- 
 cave, so that there would be room between it and the sole 
 to introduce a picker, and that the sole in its descent 
 might not be bruised. The shoe being properly fitted, 
 was fastened to the hoof with nails driven about the cen- 
 ter of the crust, the points "getting a good hold" by 
 coming out about an inch above the shoe. The hind 
 shoes were made narrower and lighter, with both heel 
 and toe calks. The plan I now follow, is, to have the fore 
 shoes swedged with a tool that leaves a rim all around 
 the shoe of three-eighths of an inch at the base, coming to 
 a dull edge at the apex, being about the same depth as it 
 is wide. The remaining part of the web is concaved on 
 the inside, and on the outside the crease is cut where the 
 web and rim join, with an inward inchnation. The nails 
 are driven from the inside of the crust in place of the 
 middle, with a slope that will bring them out half an inch 
 above the shoe. The reasons for adopting this system of 
 nailing are, that, as the hoof is composed of a great num- 
 ber of thin plates or laminjB overlaying each other — the 
 fibers running up and down the foot — when a nail is 
 driven in the center, it has a tendency to divide the lay- 
 ers, and either split them asunder or cause an undue 
 pressure when di-iven higher than the insensible sole. 
 By starting the nails from the inside of the crust and 
 taking more of a horizontal direction, the laminae are not 
 divided, but perforated, giving a far better hold for the 
 nan, with no danger of either wounding the sensitive 
 parts or pressing on them to cause pain. When the nail 
 is driven thi'ough, the point is twisted ofif, and in lieu of 
 taking the rasp and filing an ugly crease that weakens the 
 hoof by destroying the enamel, a very small gouge merely 
 removes enough of the horn to hide the clinch riveted 
 with a punch, and of course, entirely out of the way of 
 
IMPEOVED METHOD OF SHOEIlirG. 95 
 
 doing injury. The clinches " cannot raise, " as the heads 
 of the nails are completely protected by the swedged rim. 
 There is a small clip at the toe with the additional se- 
 curity of a nail driven in that strongest part of the foot ; 
 three nails on each side giving ample assurance that it 
 cannot be displaced. These nails only go back as far as 
 the widest part of the foot, leaving the quarters unob- 
 structed in their motion. The hind shoes differ in being 
 a great deal lighter, and in place of the swedged rim are 
 so concave that they have an angle or bend of about forty- 
 five degrees. The crease is cut in the rim, and when the 
 nails are driven they are filed away till the whole shoe is 
 left so smooth that if even a horse "grabs," it slips off 
 the quarter without doing an injury. The back part of 
 the web of the hind shoe is what gives the wound when 
 a horse cuts his quarters, and when turned over the horn 
 of the anvil — as is the customary plan — is almost as sharp 
 as a kliife. You. can satisfy yourself that this is the part 
 of the shoe that does the mischief, by observing the wound, 
 which is always triangular, the point being the place where 
 first struck, and the flap or torn skin falling back and at- 
 tached at the lower end or base of the triangle. But still 
 the most conclusive proof is, that with the shoe made as I 
 have described, with no toe calk, sharp web or nail heads, 
 there never will be a wound. The quarter may be bruised 
 by a blow from the iron, but even that will be mitigated 
 by the smooth surface. There are, of course, horses that 
 could not be shod in this way, from their feet being dis- 
 eased or defective — some requiring round or bar shoes, 
 others with a gutta-percha or leathern sole, and still 
 others with a great part of the horn and shoe cut away 
 to guard against the result of faulty action arising from 
 wrong shape, &c., &c. 
 
 A natui-al, healthy foot is the one I am now directing 
 to be shod, so as to do the work in the best manner rt^ 
 
96 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 quired, and keep it in its normal condition. Those who 
 still stick to the first shoe I described will say that it is 
 the only one for a trotter, without deigning to give any 
 reason why it is so. The advantages I claim for the con- 
 tinuous rim or calk, are, that it is more like the natural 
 unshod foot, bringing the support where it is required, 
 directly under the wall ; t] .at it gives a firmer hold of the 
 ground, enabhng the animal to retain every inch he pro- 
 gresses, and adds to the confidence he has of not slipping, 
 so that he strikes out boldly to the limit of his stride. 
 Should the track be very hard, there is less concussion 
 than where there is an inch and a half of flat metal to 
 meet it. Should it be inclined to cup or give, the con- 
 cavity gives a far better traction than the flat, with less 
 tendency to " pick up." In the mud, no one will deny its 
 advantages over the customary way of placing the points 
 only at the heel and toe. In preparing the foot to receive 
 this shoe, I may still be thought singular. I will give my 
 reasons, and until some one converts me to another plan, 
 by force of argument, I shall continue in my own without 
 the fear of ridicule, which has no better logic than a laugh 
 to carry its point. I suffer no part of the foot to be pared, 
 only the wall, and that is cut till it rests on the floor in a 
 natural manner. Great care must be taken that the pro- 
 per amount be cut from toe and heel to effect this. I 
 think the general error is in allowing the heels to be too 
 high. When it has been cut with the rasp and knife, a 
 smooth file finishes the preparation, so that there are no 
 inequalities to keep the shoe from touching every place. 
 When nailed on, the shoes must come exactly to the edge 
 of the hoof; in no case projecting the least beyond it. If 
 this fitting has been properly done, there need be no rasp- 
 ing or filing the horn to injure the outward coating and 
 destroy the elasticity of the hoof. 
 
 The sole is left just as natui-e made it, and we will try 
 
IMPROPER SHOEING. 97 
 
 and keep it. It has a rugged appearance that will mor- 
 tify the blacksmith, but will retain the moisture better 
 than any stopping, and when the surplus portion needs 
 removal, will exfoliate before it comes in the way. Many 
 blacksmiths wiU need watching, in their anxiety to do a 
 finished job, which consists in paring away sole and frog, 
 opening the fissures between the bars and frog, and 
 rasjDing the outside of the horn to within an inch of the 
 hair. The natural mechanism of the horse's foot is beau- 
 tiful. His domestication requiring of him artificial duties 
 necessitates artificial aid. How much it ought to be our 
 study to ameliorate the ills forced ou him, and make the 
 willing servitude, as much as lies in our power, a pleasure ! 
 In no way can there be so much unnecessary suffering- 
 relieved as by attention to shoeing. Any one who will 
 take his station for an hour on the crowded streets of a 
 city will be convinced of this. How rarely do you see a 
 horse stepping out with the free, grand motion, resulting 
 from sound feet and hmbs. They come hobbling by, 
 some of them with dauntless spirit, enduring tortui'e, 
 partially hidden by a jaunty air, that would make the 
 most heroic biped grate his teeth with pain. 
 
 "Never Mind" we will have shod with a shoe weisfhinsr 
 about twelve ounces. From the description you give of 
 his manner of going, he has, probably, rather an excess of 
 knee action, and by putting on rather a light shoo we 
 win remedy it. His hind shoe should not weigh over a 
 third as much; and to guard against getting on his 
 quarters, we will have them made as I described, and set 
 a short distance back from the toe, which must project 
 over the shoe about half an inch. 
 
 Bad driving, as I said before, has as much to do with 
 horses striking their quarters as anything else. When a 
 horse breaks and is jerked from one side of the track to 
 the other with all the strength a man possesses, there is a 
 
98 HORSEPOETEAITURE. 
 
 great danger of his hitting somewhere ; and it is fortu- 
 nate if it is the quarter instead of the knee. When to this 
 snatching is added a short martingale, the tendency to 
 hit is still greater. The head being pulled close to the 
 breast, the horse has no freedom of action left ; and I 
 have known horses hit themselves between the knee and 
 pastern when thus tangled. 
 
 The Falcon shall wear what I term a mediiun weight 
 for an ordinary sized foot, viz : each fore shoe weighing 
 a pound. I have always found an advantage in making 
 the hind shoe very light. The hind legs are the propel- 
 ling power, throwing the body forward, while the fore legs 
 support it and are merely rolled out of the way. In 
 order that they may do this, the knee requires to be well 
 doubled, to ensure a proper length of stride correspond- 
 ing to the force of propulsion of the hind legs. The hind 
 feet, however, cannot be carried too close to the ground, 
 as there is less expenditure of strength than when raised 
 higher. The light shoe, therefore, interferes less with 
 this skimming motion than one heavier. That a few 
 ounces' difference in weight of the shoe of so powerful an 
 animal as the horse should make so much difference in 
 the speed, can only be accounted for by the change in 
 the action of the animal. Turfmen will tell you that 
 there is from three to four seconds in time between shoes 
 and plates in running a mile. The one set will weigh say 
 forty ounces, the other ten. This small decrease of 
 weight, though placed where it exerts the most influence, 
 can never bo sufficient reason for making fifty yards' 
 difference in a mile. 
 
 To carry this argument still fiu-ther, with- an illustration 
 that is to the jooint : a trotter can go faster with the shoe 
 as usually worn, than if plated, like the race horse. So 
 the disadvantage of increase of weight is more than 
 
IlfJTJRIES TO THE KNEE. 99 
 
 counterbalanced by the action being better calculated for 
 rapidity of trotting. 
 
 Jane we will have shod a little Heavier, adding a couple 
 of ounces to each shoe. If I thought she had hit her 
 knee from her own fault, I would put the two ounces on 
 the outside of the shoe. But as I am satisfied the injury 
 arose from bad handling, we will make the shoes to 
 balance. It is reduced to a certainty with me that a 
 horse's way of going can be gi-eatly modified by an un- 
 equal shoe. I had one horse that hit himself violently on 
 the shin with the outside of the forefoot, and on weight- 
 ing the shoe he escaped the blow on the shin, but did 
 what was worse, hit liis knee. While Jane is working 
 slow, we must try to reduce the enlargement, and bring 
 the knee to the natural size. To effect this, we will irri- 
 tate the cuticle with oil of cedar, and then ajDply mer- 
 curial ointment, or some preparation of iodine. I have 
 been very successful with this mode of treatment. 
 
 In case of a recent injury to the knee, a very different 
 course would have to be followed, by placing the feet in a 
 tub, and giving a thorough bathing with hot bran tea, 
 applying it for an hour or longer, then swathing with 
 flannel baiidages wet with the tincture of arnica, reduced 
 by adding three parts of water to one of tincture. Should 
 the inflammatory symptoms not be abated the next day, 
 apj^ly pounded ice, to be followed by a strong decoction 
 of mullein leaves — of course, dispensing with all fast 
 work, lessening the feed considerably, and giving acidu- 
 lated di-ink. If at a season of the year when grass or 
 green corn blades can be got, give a plentiful supply of 
 them, with a bran mash not too often. I am in favor of 
 gi\'ing green food more than mashes, and will give you 
 my reasons for the preference at a future time. 
 
 "We can leave this blacksmith safely, as I will warrant 
 him to do the shoeing as directed ; so we will walk back 
 
100 HOKSB POETRAITURE. 
 
 to the stable and see to the arrangement of things there. 
 Much work can be saved by having a place for the 
 "traps," and making an imperative rule that each article 
 shall be retui-ned where it belongs. 
 
 Pupil. — To say that I have listened with attention, while 
 you have been talking of the walking and shoeing, would 
 be a poor return for the information I have received in so 
 short a space. The ideas are nearly all new to me, but I 
 can give no reason why they should not be followed. I 
 have had an illustration of the danger of driving nails too 
 high in the horn, even when there was no direct injury 
 to the sensitive parts when first shod, and which resulted 
 in the death of one of the finest animals I ever saw. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1863, I accompanied a gentleman 
 to Kentucky for the purj)ose of purchasing a few colts. 
 We got to Cincinnati at the time Mt. Sterling was cap- 
 tured by the Confederates, and, of course, there was great 
 excitement all along the line of the Lexington and Cov- 
 ington Railroad. Paris was supposed to be the next point 
 of attack, and the railroad officials debated some time be- 
 fore they would send out a train, finally concluding to do 
 so. By this conveyance we reached Lexington, and spent 
 a short time there, looking at the stock of Jno. M. Clay, 
 and others in the vicinity. There were Lodi, Kentucky, 
 and many other fine specimens of the blood horse ; but, 
 unfortunately, Mr. Clay was not at home, so that we 
 could only admire the horses and everything about his 
 well-kept estabhshment— to my mind, the most perfect of 
 any we saw. We were Idndly received, however, by his 
 trainer, who showed us all in his department, and he 
 certainly deserved the credit of having his horses well 
 advanced in condition ; and the arrangement of the train- 
 ing quarters was admirable. That morning we break- 
 fasted with Mr. E. E. Eagle, who not only gave us a 
 genuine Kentucky welcome, but accompanied us in our 
 
A KENTUCKY COLT. 103 
 
 visit to the other places. When we left Mr. Clay's, we 
 came back by the way of Ashland ; and my enthusiastic 
 admiration of the great man, whose home it had been, 
 was gratified by seeing the place, so beautiful by na- 
 ture, still further adorned by the plantations which he 
 had superintended. But I must not be tempted to de- 
 scribe any of these places, as our wait is too shori to admit 
 of even a sketch of their beauties. We took the afternoon 
 train to Spring Station, and T greatly enjoyed the two- 
 mile walk over the verdant blue grass sod to Woodburn. 
 The next day was occupied in glancing at the stock on 
 that vast domain ; but there was so much of it, that the 
 mind got confused by the number seen, and it was diffi- 
 cult to get a correct impression that could be retained 
 by the memory without mixing up different animals to- 
 gether. 
 
 There were two, however, that struck my fancy more 
 than any of the others : a bay colt, by Lexington, out of 
 Nebula, the peerless Asteroid, and a bay colt by Knight 
 of St. George, out of Miriam. They were both rated at 
 the same piice, and I finally settled on the son of the 
 conqueror of the dragon. I will only describe him by 
 saying he was the most finished specimen of horse-flesh I 
 ever saw ; powerfully made, yet showing quality of the 
 highest character. I have a print, copied from Herring, 
 Sen., of Beeswing ; I have admired it as coming exactly 
 to my idea of what a horse should be, and I often point 
 it out to visitors as being a model, in my estimation, as it 
 is in the opinion of those much more capable of judging. 
 This colt's similarity of form to the picture was remark- 
 able. Mr. Alexander sent us, in his carriage, to pay a 
 visit to " Uncle Ned," where we were so agreeably enter- 
 tained that the evening shades were falling ere we re- 
 gained Woodburn. We found every one much excited, 
 there being a report that Breckenridge was within six miles, 
 
 5* 
 
102 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 with a large force under his command, conscripting all 
 who came in his way. A gentleman from Ohio accom- 
 panied us on our way to Ecj^uii'ia, intending to tate the 
 cars at Spring Station ; but they had passed laden wath 
 soldiers and artillery. 
 
 This looked as if the Federals were evacuating Lex- 
 ington, and increased the excitement. Mr. Alexander 
 kindly offered to send us in his carriage to Georgetown, 
 where we could get a conveyance to Cincinnati ; but I 
 had fallen so completely in love "with the colt, that I was 
 determined to take him home, if I had to lead him 
 through the w'oods to the Ohio river. At my urgent re- 
 quest, Mr. Alexander delayed sending us off tiU a boy 
 could go to Midway and get a rehable report from the 
 telegraphic operator at that place. He came back in a 
 very short time with the news, that the Confederates were 
 no nearer than Danville, some thirty miles distant. This 
 relieved the party of their fears for their immediate safety, 
 and led them to stay over night. 
 
 Mr. Alexander agreed to send some of his men with the 
 horses purchased to Cincinnati, and in order that they 
 might have an early start, the colts were brought up before 
 daylight in the morning and shod. This was necessary, 
 as the hai'd rock roads would have worn their feet to the 
 quick, if they had not been protected. They got to the 
 Queen City, looking jaded, but no other bad effects from 
 the journey wei'e visible. I accompanied them myself 
 from Cincinnati to Chicago, taking the Air Line Koad, 
 — and I cannot pass further without remarking that the 
 roads between these two cities are cursed with the most 
 disobliging set of officials I ever had to endufe in all my 
 travels. The journey that ought to have been made in 
 tnirty-six hours, at furthest, occupied five days. I was 
 well prepared with hay, feed, blankets, &c. ; and having 
 the whole car for three colts — two two-year-olds and a 
 
LOCKJAW — IMPROPEK SHOEIN^G. 103 
 
 yearling, liad plenty of room. When we laid up, wliich 
 was every night but one, and a great part of the day also, 
 I could not prevail on the conductor to di-aw the car to the 
 platform, where I could take the colts off to exercise ; so, 
 when not in motion, I turned them loose in the car. After 
 the first night, they would he down and rest as comfort- 
 ably as if in a stable. The second day I discovered the 
 Knight was lame in one of his hind legs. After the 
 closest scrutiny, I could not tell where it was seated, 
 and came to the conclusion it must be in the foot. He 
 was in a good deal of pain, holding up the foot, or resting 
 it on the toe. 
 
 Before I got to Chicago, the lameness was less apparent ; 
 and leading him from the cars to the stable, he went as 
 sound as ever. I took the colts to the blacksmith shop, 
 had all of the shoes pulled off, and after a good groom- 
 ing, put them in roomy box stalls with comfortable beds, 
 gave them a warm mash, and felt that they were well 
 cared for. 
 
 When I woke up the next morning, it took me some 
 moments to realize I was not on the railroad ; but the 
 luxurious hair mattress and the comfortable room at the 
 hotel recalled me to a knowledge of the true situation. 
 As I did not expect to continue my journey for a day or 
 two, I was in no hurry to get up. The deprivation of all 
 comfort for the last few days made my present position 
 the more enjoyable, and I felt incHned to make the most 
 of it. 
 
 I lay building air-castles in which the half-brother to 
 Mammona and Magenta took a conspicuous place. He 
 must be run till four or five years old, leaving the legi- 
 timate tiu'f, crowned with bays, to gather fresh chaplets 
 on the Union and Fashion Coiu'ses, the meed of victories 
 won at the less graceful trot. My reveries were cut short 
 by the ostler coming to my door and telhng me one of 
 
104 HOESE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 the colls had the "belly-ache." Which one? I eagerly 
 enquii'ed. The j)retty bay, was his answer. All three were 
 bays, but I knew which he meant. I jumped out of bed, 
 hurried on my clothes, and found my worst fears more 
 than fulfilled. It needed but a glance to arrive at a cor- 
 rect diagnosis, — lock-jaw. I led him a few blocks to a ve- 
 terinarian, who frankly told me that he had not one 
 chance in a hundred to hve. He applied chloroform till 
 insensibihty was induced. This was some relief, as, when 
 lying under its influence, the pain of looking at him suffer- 
 ing so intensely was done away. All the man's skiU availed 
 not : he died. 
 
 The conclusion that forced itself on my mind was, that, 
 in the hurry of shoeing by the dim light of a lamp, the 
 nail was driven too near the quick ; that the jarring of 
 the car after journeying over the Macadamized road 
 caused the lameness. The pulling the shoe off did still 
 further injury. The nerve was wounded, resulting in the 
 loss of an animal that would have been of incalculable 
 service to the stock of the section where I hved. Crossed 
 on mares, the get of the Falcon, would have produced 
 trotters to a certainty. His trotting step was as fine as 
 pny colt bred expressly for that purpose ever had. His 
 blood, form, and quahty, being of so high a character, I 
 despair of ever looking on his like again. 
 
CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 STABLE MANAGEMENT — GROOMING — SWEATING — BANDAGES — 
 CLOTHING — RULES FOR THE STABLE. 
 
 Preceptor. — That was a very Tinfortunate case, losing 
 your colt, and I have no doubt the reason you give for 
 the attack of tetanus is correct. If, when the shoe was 
 pulled off, you had put the foot in a bucket of hot, strong 
 ley, made with wood ashes, the fatal result would prob- 
 ably have been avoided. Horses take the lock-jaw with- 
 out having been wounded. Yet, when it occurs without 
 a wound, it is easier managed, and does not generally 
 prove so serious. 
 
 The stable management of horses is of the greatest im- 
 portance, and the strictest attention is required in order 
 that their condition may be advanced, which all our skill 
 will not effect if they are neglected there. I do not in- 
 tend, at present, to give you a lecture on stable economy, 
 but merely to assist you in having the stalls arranged so 
 that the least work possible will be required to take care 
 of the inmates. This stable is not what I imagine either 
 of us would have built; still it can be arranged so that the 
 horses may be very comfortable. 
 
 It was my intention to have given you a plan of a train- 
 ing stable that would meet my ideas ; but as you have 
 not yet erected one on the Iowa Farm, will await your de- 
 scription, and suggest such changes as may appear bene- 
 ficial. Tour nine horses we will divide into three classes, 
 viz. : Falcon, May-Day, and Delle, will take the three stalls 
 
106 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 that are in one compartment ; we will put them under 
 the charge of one man, with a boy to assist in rubbing 
 legs, walking, &c. The next division, in like quarters 
 and with the same number of attendants, will be Never 
 Mind, Jane, and Mavourneen ; while we will expect one 
 man to take charge of Clipper, Oriole, and King. The 
 " old Virginia " plan in racing stables was to put a man 
 and a boy to every horse ; and I have seen the services of 
 two men detailed to take care of one of our fastest trot- 
 ters. In my opinion, so much helj) is unnecessary, and 
 in some cases injurious. Grooming, as well as exercise, 
 can be overdone. Wlien the results aimed at are attained, 
 what can be the profit of carrying it further ? The bene- 
 fits arising from grooming are cleanliness, and keeping 
 up the circulation of blood to the extremities by the 
 friction. The horse's skin is Hke the human, exudation 
 removing impurities from the system, which, if confined, 
 would do injury. The dandruff or scurf closing the pores 
 has to be removed, and it is astonishing the difference in 
 the appearance of the horse between having this duty per- 
 formed thoroughly, and having it slighted. 
 
 A good gi'oom is of great value, and, simple as the 
 operation appears of cleaning a horse, there are very few 
 adepts. The curry-comb in the hands of an artist is used 
 only to keep the brush clean. A bungler rakes away with 
 it against and across the hair, torturing the horse without 
 affecting any good. The brush, if property used, will 
 effectually remove the scurf, while the wisp gives the 
 polish to the hair, and removes the dust from the surface. 
 Fast work, while it makes extra care necessary, decreases 
 the labor of keeping the horse clean, the frequency of 
 perspiration loosening the dandruff, and lodging it on the 
 outside, where its removal becomes less troublesome. It 
 is very true that, in the commencement of training, this 
 persjDiration is of an oily nature, which, if suffered to dry, 
 
GROO MING-STALLS. 107 
 
 becomes sticky as wax, matting the hair together. This, 
 however, when the stable is situated close to the track 
 need never occur, the scraper taking it off before it is al- 
 lowed to cool. There is one drawback to the benefit sweat- 
 ing confers in lessening the labor of grooming. The per- 
 spiration not only removes the dandruff, but also the oily 
 matter that gives the gloss to the hair. A fresh secretion 
 takes place, the wisping or rubbing stimulating the 
 vessels and encoiu'aging the flow. Should this be ne- 
 glected, the hair has a harsh feel and a dry apjoearance, 
 which, if it does not arise from a neglect of grooming, be- 
 tokens a want of condition, the source of which will be 
 often difficult to discover. There are times when the labor 
 of two men is required on one horse, when giving a sweat, 
 a trial, or after r, race. We will arrange the days of 
 sweating so that we can call in the help of our other 
 classes, and the men mutually assisting each other, there 
 will be no lack of help. 
 
 I spoke of grooming and rubbing being overdone. When 
 horses are fussed over too much, the time they ought to 
 be at rest is broken in upon, and more injury results 
 from this than benefit from the extra care. The want of 
 box stalls in this stable is partially compensated by there 
 being plenty of room for three in each compartment, di- 
 vided by partitions that are strongly jDut up. These par- 
 titions are deep, so that there is no danger, when a horse 
 is lying down, of the hind legs getting beyond the heel- 
 post. The feeding boxes are hung on staples driven into 
 the wall, so that the box can be removed when the animal 
 has eaten the feed. The hay we place on the floor, where 
 it will all be picked up, and suits horses better than when 
 put in a manger. The stalls are so wide that the horses 
 can be dressed in them, and there is a space eight feet 
 wide between the heel-post and the wall. The furniture 
 consists of a cot bed for the man to sleep in, which can be 
 
108 HOESE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 doubled up and set by during tlie day. There are ropes 
 stretched along the sides to hang blankets and clothing 
 on ; hooks screwed into the wall for the harness, each 
 one having a hook. Bridles, surcingles, rubbing cloths, 
 chamois skins, are hung where they can be conveniently 
 reached. There is a cushion for skewers and a piece of 
 flannel, the heads of the nails projecting that fasten it to 
 the wall, on which we hang the bits, the flannel protecting 
 them from the dampness. We will need quite a collection 
 of bits, as you will find a great advantage in different 
 forms for different horses ; or the same horse will need a 
 change to keep his mouth from getting sore ; or you wiU 
 find him working best to-day in a plain snaffle, perhaps 
 next week showing his predilection for a bar or a snaffle 
 of another pattern. Lantern, muzzle, curry-combs, brushes, 
 foot-picks, hair mittens, bandages, sponges, combs, scis- 
 sors, soap, tincture of arnica, glycerine, rack for whips, 
 are arranged where they vnll be least in the way, yet 
 handy to get at ; while we have on hand — ^hoping not to 
 have to use them — knee, shin, and quarter boots, buckskin 
 rolls, rattles, hand pieces, &c. With forks, shovels, brooms, 
 foot-tubs and baskets, we are pretty well supplied with 
 necessaries, and as we have a feed-room and shed for the 
 sulkies and wagons, we can find no fault with our present 
 quarters, even if they could be bettered. One article must 
 not be omitted : a good clock with an alarm, that will 
 waken the most inveterate sleeper. This placed in the 
 foreman's room will enable him to be up in the morning 
 and regulate the feeding, which is very essential. Impress 
 on the minds of your men certain rules, the violation of 
 which wiU be followed by positive dismissal. The first 
 and most important, uniform kindness to the horses — 
 never to strike or kick one under any circumstances ; to 
 cultivate a kind tone of voice, trying to obtain the af- 
 fection of the animals ; never exhibiting fear ; nev^r 
 
STABLE KULE S — C RUEL GROOMING. 109 
 
 using profane or viilgar language ; to put everything 
 Allien done using it in its appropriate place ; to wipe the 
 I its before hanging up, and rub the sweat off the harness ; 
 to follow imphcity your directions, and, in your absence, 
 those of the foreman ; never to smoke in the stable, or 
 keep a light burning after the usual time ; drunkenness, or 
 even " getting a httle tight," to receive condign punish- 
 ment, no matter if there are extenuating circumstance ; 
 to be neat in personal appearance and in the arrangement 
 of the stable. Other minor regulations will present them- 
 selves. 
 
 To look for these qualifications in " rubbers " may be 
 thought useless ; but I never keep a man unless he pos- 
 sess them, and I am happy to state they are obtainable. 
 To encourage young men who work for me, and raise 
 their aspirations to till their places well, is one of the chief 
 aims in my intercourse with them. I furnish them with 
 all the tvirf and horse literature that is worthy of being 
 read, and not only find it to their advantage, but also a 
 great furtherance of my own interests. 
 
 The spare time, of which they have a good deal, is thus 
 profitably employed. They take pride in performing their 
 duty well, and the information acquired from reading will 
 never be obliterated or useless, whatever station in life 
 they afterwards occupy. 
 
 Pupil. — The first man who drove the Falcon taught 
 him another bad trick, which your remarks on grooming 
 bring freshly to my mind. He would tie his head up with 
 a rein on each side of the bit, elevating it into a very un- 
 comfortable position, and handling the curry-comb, as you 
 remarked, to give the most pain, when he came to where 
 the hair vras the thinnest, he would bear on with additional 
 force and energy of movement, driving the horse nearly 
 frantic, who would cringe almost to the floor, and lash 
 out his hind feet in a desperate manner, requiring a 
 
110 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 good deal of agility on the part of his tormentor to teep 
 out of his reach. The stable where he was kept was in a 
 small village, and there was usually quite a crowd to see 
 the horses exercising and watch the movements in the 
 stable. I believe this man thought it heightened his con- 
 sequence to be seen gi-ooming so desperate an animal, 
 and took dehght in aggravating him to the display. A 
 brush drawn across a curry-comb wiU put him out of 
 temper the moment he hears it. I found in a drug store 
 a different kind of hair mitten from any I ever saw. In 
 place of the hair being woven in with the material com- 
 posing the mitten, it was fashioned like a card, which was 
 sewed on the palm. It is very effective in removing dust 
 or dandruff fi'om a horse with as thin a coating of hair as 
 Falcon has, and I have never suffered anything harsher to 
 be used in cleaning him since I obtained it. By placing 
 one on each hand the work is not only expedited, but by 
 brushing them together they are kept clean. 
 
 Falcon's temper is so much better than it used to be, 
 that I am inclined to think the doing away with the 
 torture of grooming has caused him to look on men as 
 pleasanter companions than he formerly rated them, and 
 is on his good behavior as long as he is exempted from 
 the annoyance. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — The irritation consequent on the prepa- 
 ration of a horse for fast work cannot be done away with, 
 as the necessary amount of rubbing inflicts pain. When 
 this is increased to positive agony, from the want of sense 
 — as shown by the man you mention and by plenty more 
 of the same stamp — it is no wonder that the horse's tem- 
 per becomes spoiled, so much so, that there is often actual 
 danger in dressing them. See what a difference there is 
 between men not only in using the comb and brush, but 
 the soft piece of linen called a rubbing cloth. The bungler 
 bears on as if drying the hair was to be accomphshed by 
 
RUBBING-CLOTH S — S K E W E R S . Ill 
 
 press "ii-e, as juice is squeezed from the cane ; the little 
 bulbs at the root of the hair are made sore, and the job is 
 not so quickly or effectually done as with the light motion 
 that absorbs the moisture and leaves a glow over the 
 whole body that is pleasant to the recipient. There is no 
 material I have tried for rubbing cloths better than old 
 salt sacks that Liverpool salt is imported in. The salt has 
 given them properties, not possessed by the cloth before 
 being used. They are heavy and soft, taking up the moist- 
 ure more readily than any others. Turkish towels are 
 the next best, and after they have been used awhile, are 
 capital articles for the purjDOse. The wisp is very effective 
 in the hands of a good groom, and when I see a new hand 
 make one, I can give a shrewd guess of his skill in the 
 stable. The soft wisp when rightly made takes off the 
 loose dirt. With a little more twist to make it harder, it 
 pohshes the hair and keeps up a circulation better than a 
 cloth or brush. Skewers, or "skiwers," as the boys per- 
 sist in calling them, will be found very convenient, trivial 
 as they appear. The blankets, if furnished with strings, 
 will do away with their use in a great measiu^e, though 
 when a horse comes in " boiling hot," and it is of great 
 importance that the wind should not strike him, then the 
 skewers are better than strings to fasten the blankets just 
 where we want them. They should be made of tough, 
 hard hickory, shaped so as to retain their place, with 
 strength enough not to break easily. When a horse has 
 to work in clothes, as in a sweat, they should be used 
 very sparingly, and great care taken that they are placed 
 so as not to wound with the point, or abrade the skin 
 with the friction. The head ought not to be larger than 
 the bulge. The bandages, of which there should be a set 
 for every horse, are made about three yards long, and 
 four inches wide, using soft strong flannel, with strings of 
 the same material. The color is not important, though T 
 
112 HORSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 must acknowledge a penchant for red. The uses of ban- 
 dages are very little understood by many trainers, who 
 use them on occasions when they are actually an injury, 
 and neglect to aj)ply them when good would result. Like 
 the shoeing, where I differ from others, I will give my 
 reasons for being of a contrary opinion. If they are not 
 cogent according to your belief, show me their falsity. 
 Converse with others, even those whom you think not so 
 well informed. There are points where they may be likely 
 to know more than both of us, — and let not the meanness 
 of the source detract from the merit of the position. We 
 are prone, after estabhshing a favorite theory, to build up 
 every weak point ; to search diligently for anything that 
 would substantiate it, and as scrupulously avoid every- 
 thing that would tend to weaken the structure. As an 
 illustration of this, we will take your favorite hobby 
 of the superiority of the thoroughbreds in making 
 fast trotters. How carefully you dwell on what gives 
 strength to the spectdation : their superiority of form for 
 rapid movements ; their capability of enduring protracted 
 exertion ; their being better supplied with nerve force ; 
 their recuperative power that enables them to " come 
 again," disdaining to yield when every muscle and tendon 
 has been strung to its utmost tension, commanding vic- 
 tory when defeat was booked as a certainty. 
 
 You see all this. Do you see as clearly the effects of 
 generations of habitude to a different gait ? The young 
 grey-hound, by suckhng the pointer, and subjected to the 
 most thorough breaking, will never be of use to point 
 game. The high temper, will it brook being kept, in the 
 excitement of a race, to a pace that the animal knows is 
 not the most speedy, and suffer others to lead ? However, 
 I do not want to open the question, only to put you on your 
 guard against accepting that which I have concluded to be 
 right, without scrutinizing closely the reasons I advance, 
 
BANDAGE U. 113 
 
 giving tbem no more weight, because you are favorably 
 imjDressed with my skill, than if they had been uttered by 
 some one not familiar with the subject. A person must 
 think for himself, and education is only just commencing 
 when we put our knowledge to a practical test. 
 
 Bandages have many duties to perform. To a horse 
 that has good sound legs that do not swell from the work 
 he receives, their only use is to prevent evaporation, and 
 keep the legs warm. They would be unnecessary even for 
 this purpose, if, after the legs were washed, each could be 
 rubbed dry at the same time, though I am not so much 
 given to hand-rubbing the legs as many are, and would 
 prefer the loosely ajoplied bandage. Should the work 
 have been very severe, bandages dipped in hot water, and 
 left on all night without being permitted to get dry, will 
 be found a great preventive of soreness. If the legs are 
 inclined to tumefaction and tenderness, wet bandages are 
 almost indispensable. Bear it in mind, that dry bandages 
 will increase the inflammatory symptoms, and are never 
 to be applied when inflammation exists. Warm water, 
 the degree of heat being regulated so that you can just 
 bear your hand in it, is just as good as any of the medi- 
 cated compounds so much ia vogue. I prefer the bandages 
 to fomentations, not that they are better, but are less 
 troublesome to apply. 
 
 The reasons for my preferring wet bandages to dry, and 
 warm water in place of cold, are, that the moisture acts 
 as a poultice, and the heat of the water, confined by the 
 flannel, keeps up a perspiration that relieves the parts. 
 When applied in the stable, dry bandages should be 
 put on loose, so that when the string is tied, you can shp 
 your finger easily between it and the leg ; wet ones bear 
 being a little tighter. It is quite a knack to put on ban- 
 dages properly, particularly where a horse has to take his 
 work in them. Have your bandage rolled up smoothly, 
 
114 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 and commence a little below the knee or hock, "winding it 
 carefully, so that there are no creases, till you reach the 
 coronet ; then go back with another fold, till you come 
 back above the place where you commence, and tie with 
 the same care, keeping the strings flat as they cross over 
 each other, and fasten. 
 
 The uses of bandages when at work are to support the 
 ligaments and tendons, enabling you to keep a horse in 
 train that would otherwise have to be thrown up, and to 
 recover from a strain that might become serious if he was 
 exercised without their support. That there is danger of 
 needing them when the horse becomes well, I think is 
 unfounded, if their use is discontinued as soon as the leg 
 has regained its normal condition. I broke the covering 
 of one of the small ligaments in my hand, the sinew 
 puffing up to the size of a hazel-nut, and my fingers 
 almost completely paralyzed. I could not have lifted ten 
 pounds. I immediately applied a bandage, with a small 
 flannel compress over the rupture. The relief was instan- 
 taneous, and I kept at my work, nearly as if nothing had 
 happened. I wore the bandage for some time, and on 
 removing it, found no inconvenience for the want of the 
 support. Wlien there is much tumefaction, the pressure 
 can be increased by tightening the bandage. This assists 
 the absorbing vessels to take up the matter that causes 
 the swelling, and expels it through the natural channels. 
 As the appHcation, in actual practice, is a far better method 
 of learning than either oral or written instructions, you 
 wiU become familiar with my bandaging system before the 
 season is through. 
 
 The clothing of horses is also a subject on which there 
 Is much difference of opinion ; the advocates of either 
 extreme being confident in the wisdom of the plan they 
 follow. While I differ from both, I must say, if compelled 
 to adopt either, I would go with those who discard the 
 
CLOTHING. 115 
 
 blankets. There is a medium that will suit me better. 
 Clothing has its uses that can hardly be dispensed with 
 in this variable chmate, and the question is, how will we 
 apply it to the best advantage. By the use of reasonable 
 clothing there is less trouble in the ventilation of the 
 stable, as slight changes of temperature are not felt when 
 the bodily heat is partially retained by the application of 
 a cover. The changes in a day or night range frequently 
 through several degrees of the thermometer ; and a horse 
 that may have been comfortable with a hnsey in the stable, 
 and while taking his afternoon walk, will need the pro- 
 tection of kersey fi-om then till morning. This is the 
 furthest I would go, from a linen sheet to thick kersey ; 
 the addition of one or two blankets being, in my opinion, 
 detrimental. If the training is carried on till late in the 
 fall, the horse must be allowed to start a growth of hair 
 that wiU compensate for the increased cold. The clothes 
 that are used when sweating should be of' an entirely 
 different character from those intended for daily wear. 
 They cannot be too thick, if soft and phable. They need 
 to be soft and porous, that they may absorb as much of 
 the perspii'ation as possible, — and pliable that they may 
 not injure the skin when brought in contact with it by the 
 harness. The qiiantity will be in accordance with the 
 design of the sweat. The first that takes place in the 
 preparation is to get rid of surplus fat, not expecting as 
 yet much advantage to the lungs. A slow pace and heavy 
 clothing wiU accomplish this purpose. As we advance, 
 lighter clothes — with some horses none at all — and a fast 
 pace are required. Sweating is of so much importance 
 that we will have to give it great consideration ; and as 
 the time for your horses to go through the fiery ordeal 
 is yet distant, we will postpone the discussion till we 
 bring it in actual practice. The cost of clothing, at the 
 present day, is one of the heaviest items in the expenses of 
 
116 HOESE PORTEAITFEE. 
 
 training. Much of this will be saved by your man knowing 
 how to take care of the clothes. Cleanliness is the first and 
 all-important lesson. The bedding must be arranged so 
 that there will be no soiling of the clothes. The horses 
 must be taught to stale outside the stable, the droppings 
 removed as soon as they faE, and the most fastidious wiU 
 not detect any of the ammoniacal scents that are thought 
 one of the essential disagreeabilities attendant on keeping 
 horses. The decoration of horses is a matter where a 
 good deal of taste can be exhibited by the groom. We 
 have scissors, but I never suffer them to be apphed to the 
 fetlocks. Your horses, I see, are not disfigm-ed with any 
 long hairs (this much, at least, being accomphshed by 
 blood). Those that have these unsightly appendages had 
 better retain them. No amount of clipping or shearing 
 will give them a high-bred look, and it certainly increases 
 the danger of cracked heels. The mane neatly braided 
 and tied up with ribbons, a clean well poHshed harness 
 and vehicle, when a horse is going into a race, looks well, 
 and is due your own character for care, and gratifies the 
 spectators. A horse that comes on the track neither too 
 high or low in flesh, a blooming coat, bright eye, and 
 elastic step, needs very little aid of a decorative character 
 to attract admiration. 
 
 Pupil. — I thank you for the hint to scan closely the 
 reasons for a distinctive plan in the training of trotters. 
 I heartily coincide in the idea that our education only 
 begins when we think for ourselves, in heu of the teacher 
 finding all the brains. I shall leave the answering of 
 your remarks about my predilection for blood, till I re- 
 sume the history of the breeding farm, only begging jour 
 leave to call attention to the well-authenticated fact of a 
 black sow making a famous pointer, showing all the en- 
 thusiam for the sport of the best trained dog, and when 
 her owner would not go to the field, traveling several 
 
MINOR DUTIES OF THE STABLE. 117 
 
 miles to the house of his brother, knowing he would ac- 
 company her. 
 
 Careful attention to the minor duties of the stable is 
 very material, and one of the most diiEcult things for me 
 to find are grooms that will attend to them. " Order is 
 everything " in all kinds of business, and nowhere more 
 important than in the training stable. Sobriety cannot 
 be expected of the men if the trainer himself di'inks too 
 much ; and it would be an insuperable objection with me 
 to place horses in the hands of a man who ever got drunk. 
 The results of one spree might do more harm than a 
 year's careful handling had done good. Inciting a taste 
 for reading in those who have the care of horses is one of 
 the most effective ways of making valuable men. Ideas 
 are fastened on the mind while pondering over the viev/s 
 of others, as expressed in writing, that are more difficult 
 to obliterate than if received orally. We read and com- 
 pare with our own views, either eradicating erroneous 
 impressions, or strengthening those that were correct. I 
 am very glad that you are going to make the subject of 
 sweating one of major importance. The little knowledge 
 I possess of training horses has been acquired more by 
 reading and study than observing others. It is true I 
 have watched those who were in liigh repute as masters of 
 the art, but have often failed to see the force of the plan 
 they were pursuing, and no part of the system has been 
 so bhnd to me as " the scrapes " they gave their horses. 
 I have seen them put blankets on a horse every day for 
 two weeks, without j^reparation or after care, thus nega- 
 tiving the benefit derived from the flow of the fluids. 
 
 Those who train race horses have to be in a manner 
 proficient, as the best race horse in the world is easily 
 beaten if he falls much short of the mark in condition. 
 With the trotting horse, while it is more of a science to 
 overcome natiu'al bias, keeping a horse in the excitement 
 
118 HOESE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 of a hotlj contested race at a pace that he knows is not 
 his fastest, still the want of condition is not so apparent, 
 and a horse will make a very creditable performance 
 trotting, when one in the same condition would fall im- 
 measurably short of his true form on the racing turf. 
 My idea is, that horses are oftener got out of condition 
 from injudicious sweating than all other causes combined; 
 and it certainly devolves on any one who intends to prepare 
 horses for fast work to master this part of the subject, 
 and become as familiar with the necessity for sweating 
 and the effects of it as patient study and thought will 
 
 permit. 
 
 Preceptor. — AU fast work has a sudorific tendency, 
 which can be either augmented or diminished by means 
 within our reach. A horse that does not sweat after suf- 
 cient exercise is in a very bad phght, as much as those 
 that perspire very freely with little exertion. One is said 
 to be burned or baked, the other washy. I can only say 
 that I am pleased that you reahze the importance of this 
 part of training, and shall look for mutual benefit when 
 we come to discuss it. The morning has so far been pro- 
 fitably occupied with the shoeing and stable arrangements, 
 we will now go to dinner, and while we enjoy the repose 
 of our usual post-meridian smoke, I will listen to the 
 continuation of the breeding department, and will give 
 you a history of how I became a " ti'otting trainer." I 
 have neglected mentioning a very dangerous instrument 
 we left hanging so quietly on a hook, — one that we cannot 
 possibly get along without ; and as it is too late at present 
 to give it the attention its merits and demerits deserve, I 
 will postpone the subject till your horses require its use, 
 which I hope will not be the case till we prepare them for 
 their first sweat, unless there happen to be a gross feeder 
 among them. I aUude to the muzzle. 
 
CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 A backwoodsman's STOKY — THE BKEEDING FARM — ^FEEDrNO — 
 LONGEVITY — TKAINING-STABLES, &C. 
 
 Preceptor. — How much the welfare of manliind de- 
 pends on trifles, has been illustrated by Napoleon's losing 
 a battle in consequence of an indigestion. The " Napo- 
 leon of the turf " was unable to manage the race between 
 Eclipse and Henry on account of a lobster supper eaten the 
 night before. Many confidently gave this as the reason 
 why Plenry was beaten. Men disUke to acknowledge their 
 favorite has been conquered by meeting a superior horse, 
 and ransack their brains for excuses, rather than admit 
 the fact, apparent to an unprejudiced observer. We wiU 
 have to be gluttons indeed if the food prepared for us here 
 does any injmy. The excellent cooking gratifies the pal- 
 ate, and preserves all nutritive qualities of the food. 
 
 There is no one who despises more heartily than I do 
 .he man who lives only to eat, who is only gratified by 
 the sensuous delights of the table, and is unhappy himself 
 and disagreeable to others, when some dish he delights in 
 is omitted, or falls short of the standard of perfection of 
 which he is a good judge. While I contemn the epicure, 
 I pity the man who does not care what he eats so long as 
 hunger is appeased. He goes through the world deprived 
 of one of the means of enjoyment as much as if he had 
 lost the sense of hearing, though not in so great a degree. 
 You have one thing to-day for dinner, speckled trout, that 
 is the choicest of all food to me, save fruit. — ^I will have 
 
120 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 to j^lace a ciu'b on my desire, or I will certainly do myself 
 injury by eating too many. 
 
 Pupil. — You need not fear any injurious effects if you 
 should gorge yourself with them, unless the mode of 
 cooking give qualities not possessed when made edible 
 by the simple plan I have followed in the woods. Veni- 
 son and brook trout I have known men eat to repletion 
 without the least inconvenience, save that of the skin being 
 too tight to hold the supplies comfortably. The prepara- 
 tion was very simple : they were broiled on the coals under 
 the drippings of a small piece of salt pork. "Whenever I 
 started for a trip in the woods, I engaged a man to hunt, 
 fish, and superintend the preparation of the camp. One 
 thus employed was an old hunter by the name of Kepler. 
 He owned a farm and saw-mill on the bank of the "West 
 Branch of he Susquehanna river, yet seemed delighted 
 to embrace the opportunity of joining our expedition. 
 
 He was a very successful hunter, and the first night of 
 our stay in the woods he brought in a deer that would 
 dress from sixty to eight}'- pounds. Nine men completely 
 demolished it before we left the camping grounds the next 
 morning. Some were roasting tit-bits nearly all night. 
 1 had eaten heartily, and was lying on the bed of hemlock 
 boughs, enjoying the quiet solace of the pij)e. Kepler 
 was telling hunting stories, and had an attentive audienci 
 in the members of the corps. To most of them forest 
 life was a novelty, and the tales were listened to with as 
 much avidity as they had devoured the venison. One of 
 the stories appeared to me highly dramatic, especially 
 as the scene was located near our pixseut camp, and in 
 the earnest manner it was related by the old hnnter, the 
 truth was guaranteed. With your permission, I will re- 
 peat it, without expecting it will strike you as forcibly as 
 it did me. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — I shall be delighted to hear it. Hunting 
 
THE backwoodsman's STORY. 121 
 
 stories were always favorites of mine, and we are in no 
 hurry to get througli our meal, having plenty of time that 
 cannot be more profitably employed than eating leisurely, 
 thereby making viigestion easier. When I have a horse 
 that bolts his feed, as if he were afraid of losing his oats 
 before he could eat them, I always place a large straight 
 bit in his mouth, which compels him to better mastication. 
 When I am too much huri'ied, I postpone eating till the 
 hui-ry is past. 
 
 Pupn,. — Here goes, then, for 
 
 KEPLER'S STORY. 
 
 " Fifteen years ago this fall, five on us started out on a 
 bar hunt, and we fixed our camp a little lower on the crick. 
 While we wur makin' our cabin, Sam Kurtz, one of our 
 best hunters, said he would go up the hill and kill a ven- 
 zon, that we might have something fresh for our first sup- 
 per. Sun was near about an hour high, and it wau't long 
 till we heerd the crack o' Sam's rifle. By-and-bye we 
 heered it agin, and we wondered some, as we knew he 
 never missed, and one blue coat was all Ave wanted at a 
 time. We kept busy on our work, lookin' every ininnit 
 for Sam to come in with his deer, as it was only a little 
 way off where he shot. Not comin' we hollod, but couldn't 
 get eny answer'. This kind o' skeerd me, and I was afraid 
 something had happened. I jest told the other thi*ee to 
 keep on, I'd go and help him to bring in the meat. I 
 shouldered my rifle and started for where I heerd the 
 shots. Afore long, I struck his track and followed it up 
 the brow of the hill. Directly I found a young painter 
 cub shot right through and through ; he laid in a Uttle 
 thicket of beech staddles, and right on t'other side of it 
 there laid another. This made me step mighty keerful 
 and look well to the priming of my rifle. Pretty quick I 
 
122 HORSE PORTEAITUBE. 
 
 heern a purrin kind of a noise, and looking up saw a sight 
 that raised every hair on end and set my heart thumpin' 
 as it would break throug my wawmus. In the crotch of 
 a big white-oak that leaned a Httle kj,terin to me, sat a 
 big painter right straddle o' poor Sam, and I knew by 
 the Hmsey way he hung it was all day with him. The 
 second look set my blood boilin ', and every cord in me 
 was as stiff as steel. I cocked my gun — didn't look for 
 nary rest — and drew a fine bead right atween the critter's 
 eyes. I saw by the whippin' o' her tail that she was not 
 satisfied with what she had done, but wanted more blood. 
 I drew a long breath and puUed trigger ; down she came, 
 falling within ten steps of me, and the way she made the 
 leaves fly was awful. Sam laid there, — he had got wedged 
 into the fork so hard that the painter faUing didn't dis- 
 lodge him. I hollod like mad, and heerd them answer 
 me from the cabin. When thej came up I couldn't say a 
 word, but pointed to the tree. They looked at Sam and 
 then at the painter, and their looks told me they undei-- 
 stood it all. How to get him down was the trouble, as 
 we didn't want to fall the tree for fear of jammin' him ; 
 so, after a good deal of bother, I climbed up to where he 
 was, and stannin' on a limb, hoisted him on to his feet. 
 The whole back of his head was crushed where the var- 
 mint had bit him. I took the belts o' my huntin' pouch 
 and his'n, and puttin' them under his arms buckled it 
 crisscross of my shoulders so that he was right agin' my 
 back. ' Twas a queer feelin' that ran through me as his 
 weight came on me when I started to come down the tree ; 
 but I knew Sam would have done as much for me, so I 
 didn't mind it more than he had bin alive. We took some 
 of the staddles, laid him across them and carried him to 
 the camp. I tell you, boys, there was no supper eat that 
 night, an' if there was a man lying here now who'd been 
 killed by a painter, you wouldn't be toastin' bits o' deer- 
 
FATE OF THE PANTHER-HUKTER. 123 
 
 meat on a stick. Next morning I skinned lier, and we 
 stretched the skin on two poles and laid on it all was left 
 of the best hunter from Lockhaveu to the mouth of the 
 Sinnemahoning, a man as true as the rifle he carried, 
 never missed fire or took the back track of fi-iend or foe. 
 We followed the branch to where it jined Shintown run, 
 and then crossed the pints and over the edge of the 
 mountain home. The bad news spread quick, and afore 
 long the whole settlement was at my house. I took the 
 painter-skin for a shroud, wrappin him in it and puttin 
 him in the coffin, laid his rifle and huntin' knife on the 
 top of it, and buried him under the big tree on the bank 
 of the river. I had no more heart for huntin' that fall, 
 though the bar war very thick, but just tinkered round 
 the mill an' helped the boys get out lumber. But lots o' 
 times since, when lying in the woods alone, I have seen 
 Sam hanging so limber hke in the big white-oak." 
 
 Every one was still at the conclusion of this story, and 
 nothing was heard but the dash of the waters and the 
 miu'murs of the tree-tops. Having no inclination to sleep, 
 I refilled and ht my pipe, Ustening to the music of the 
 water and the song of the wind drawing through the ra- 
 vine, making -Sjohan harps of the twigs, and singing 
 a grander requiem for Sam Kurtz than ever echoed 
 through vaulted cathedral for mighty conqueror or re- 
 nowned statesman. 
 
 Peeceptob. — I should not have slept any sounder for 
 being in the neighborhood of such lurking " varmints." 
 As there are a couple of hours before we revisit the barn, 
 we will adjourn to the piazza, and I will listen to your 
 continuation of the breeding farm. I will have to retract 
 my promise of giving you so much of my history as re- 
 lates to my adopting the profession of driving trotters, 
 postponing it to a future period, as I am not at present 
 in the humor. You can rejoice over escaping the in- 
 
124 HORSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 fliction at present, as I shall have many a long story to 
 tell before the summer is ended. 
 
 Pupil. — ^In place of rejoicing, I will lament that y6u 
 have resolved to postpone the relation, having a good deal 
 of anxiety to learn the reason why you forsook the grace- 
 ful gallop of the young thoroughbred — the very poetry 
 of motion — for the rougher gait of the trotter. I shall 
 resume my own history with pleasure, as I hope soon 
 to convince you of the points where, as the lawyers say, 
 we "join issue," — ^the profit of raising thoroughbreds for 
 trotters, and faihng that, the finest carriage horses in the 
 world. I left off with the first colts a year old, fields laid 
 out, paddocks and barns built, but with neither track nor 
 training stables erected. We will first put our yearlings 
 in a suitable pasture and then build the stables and track. 
 The field selected is one lying on the side of the bluff, 
 where the herbage is the shortest. This is chosen for the 
 reason that we want their supply of food to be mainly 
 gTain, as tending to form more muscle and tendon, and a 
 denser, finer bone, than if hving on succulent food. They 
 are fed regailarly twice a day, three quarts apiece in the 
 morning of oats, and in the evening six or eight ears of 
 sound corn. The slope of the bluff is quite at a sharp 
 angle from the level field at the foot of it, in many places 
 steep, with patches of hazel bushes along the hill-side. 
 The frolicsome Si^ii-it of the colts leads them to gambol 
 up and athwart the hill, leaping the smaller clumps of 
 bushes, and bi-inging every muscle into full play. They 
 are salted twice a week, at which time the halters are put 
 on and their feet examined, to see that the horn is not 
 breaking away unequally. There being no stones to wear 
 the hoof, it requires more care than it otherwise would, 
 and we will have to cut away the extra supj^ly that threat- 
 ens to give a wrong set to the pastern. Should they not 
 keep in as good order as we would like, the grain must 
 
LONGEVITY OF THE THOROUGHBRED. 125 
 
 be increased. The prejudice existing here against using 
 corn as food for horses may have arisen from good 
 causes, as there is a vast difference betAveen the flint vari- 
 eties, and the larger, softer grain grown at the South and 
 West. I am well satisfied that good horses can be reared 
 on dent corn, having seen many that were called on to go 
 both " fast and far " that never were fed a pound of any 
 other kind of grain. Still my plan would be to feed a 
 variety ; and as all kinds can be grown in Iowa with a 
 tithe of the labor bestowed in the East, we need not re- 
 strict themio either corn or oats. With one of the two 
 horse corn-plows, now in general use, one man and a 
 pair of horses can plant and cultivate in the best manner 
 eighty acres of corn. 
 
 I find there is also a belief here — sanctioned by the 
 writings of a man who has long stood at the head of 
 the hst as a driver of trotters — that feeding grain as prac- 
 ticed by the best feeders of racing colts is detrimental. 
 
 In proof of which, the withdrawal of horses from the 
 running turf, when comparatively young, is instanced, 
 claiming that, because they come to maturity earlier, they 
 will likewise sooner decay. This is not in accordance 
 with proof from the record, which will distinctly show 
 that the thoroughbred lives longer than members of any 
 other family of the equine sj^ecies, owing to an inherent 
 heartiness of constitution, and the care taken to nurture 
 him well when young. I remember taking from the old 
 Turf Register of 183-, the first twenty names from an 
 obituary hst of blood stallions. Their average age was 
 twenty-two years. In the same magazine, there was a 
 history of American Eclipse from the pen of his breeder. 
 He gave the amount of grain he was fed daily from the 
 time of weanmg till he v/as put in train, an it it was a very 
 liberal allowance. As he lived to nearly forty years, it 
 will not require long arguments to show th^l tl:a feed did 
 
 6* 
 
126 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 not shorten his days. It would be tedious to follow the 
 record, although those familiar with the celebrities of the 
 turf that have figured within the present century, will 
 agree with me when I assert that a majority of them have 
 lived to old age. It would be an idle waste of time for 
 me to tell you the reasons for horses leaving the turf when 
 young, being better informed on that point than I am. I 
 will advance an idea, however, feehng confident of main- 
 taining it with proofs of the most irrefragible kind, — that 
 no thoroughbred colt, even if put to trotting work when 
 two years old, will ever be injured unless the exercise ia 
 prolonged to an extent that would kill two or three dung- 
 hills. When two-year-olds wiU stand the necessary train- 
 ing to run a dash of a mile in 1 :50 or less, there need not 
 be much ajoprehension of hurting them with trotting work, 
 unless pounded to pieces on a hard track. Take an aged 
 horse, of some of the breeds in vogue for trotting, one 
 that has speed enough to run at the rate of a mile in that 
 time, and before his trainer could get the leng-th in him 
 by sufficient work, his machinery would be worn out, and 
 still this animal might stand a preparation to trot mile 
 heats, 3 in 5, if he ever had the foot, to place them " low 
 down in the thirties." I hope yet to see a thoroughbred 
 that will be able to speed with Dexter, "Wilkes, or Toronto 
 Chief, for a quarter of a mile, and you will see a trotter 
 that will finish a race and make play of it. Why, he 
 woiild bowl along the home stretch of a seventh heat as 
 if he were at exercise. I do not intend to imply injustice 
 to the hero of the fastest time on record. Nothing but 
 the good blood derived from the patriarchs. Sir Archy 
 and Messenger, ever enabled him to do the deed ; and if 
 the rest of the vital fluid that courses through his veins, 
 were of the same Stirling kind, the wonderful flight of the 
 first half-mile would have been kept up to the end, and a 
 
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN COLTS. 127 
 
 mart left that no part-bred horse might ever expect to 
 excel. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — ^I must call your attention to one fact that 
 will upset all your arguments, " that none but the thor- 
 oughbred does it quite well," as Fanny Kemble said. The 
 fastest Cesarewitch ever ran was won by Mr. Sykes (half- 
 bred), in 1855. He was five years old, and carried ninety- 
 two pounds, running the two miles two furlongs and 
 twenty-eight yards, in 3:55=to a mile in 1:43|. Prioress, 
 a year younger, and carrying one pound more weight, was 
 4:09 in running the dead heat, and 4:07 the deciding one. 
 So the half-bred Mr. Sykes must have run a quarter horse 
 cUp, and kept it up for over two miles and a quarter. 
 Should not Dexter — ^having at least as much blood as that 
 — keep up his rate of going for a mile, as well as one with 
 a pedigree as clear as the Moon of the Mountain? 
 
 Pupil. — ^You have lost sight of an important fact in the 
 case of Mr. Sykes. The EngHsh call a horse half-bred if 
 he has only one part in sixty-four of other blood. Not 
 knowing the pedigTee of the horse, only that he was got 
 by a St. Leger winner, Sir Tatton Sykes, I am unable to 
 say how much blood he possessed. Yet it was a wonder- 
 ful performance, even for a thoroughbred. The Enghsh 
 system of raising colts is still more on the forcing plan 
 than is followed in this country, adhering to the York- 
 shire motto, "that half a horse goes down his throat." 
 A.n eminent American breeder thus writes from Doncaster, 
 in 1840, to the Old Spirit : " The first striking difference 
 which presented itself between these and American bred 
 horses, of corresponding ages, was the size of the Enghsh 
 horses. I think I saw foals eight months old as large 
 as our yearlings, yearlings as large as our two-year-olds, 
 and two-year-old colts as large as our three-year-olds. I 
 was much astonished to find that colts a few months old 
 had shoes on, and gave evidence of having been care- 
 
128 HORSE P.OETRAITURE. 
 
 fully groomed from the time tbey were old enough to bear 
 this attention. Whilst I could not withhold the expression 
 of my astonishment at the extraordinary size of the colts 
 and filhes, there was but one in this number that ehcited 
 anything like surprise from any EngHshman present, and 
 this was a brown yearhng called Artful Dodger, whose 
 pedigTee I have forgotten. But for this I should have 
 supposed the largest and choicest colts had been selected 
 from each stud for sale." The record of imported horses 
 that have been reared in a manner to gain a year in size 
 at two years old, will show that their lives have been pro- 
 longed beyond the usual term of horse life. Le-\d.athan, 
 Priam, Trustee, Koman, Sovereign, Glencoe, &c., &c., are 
 proofs of the truth of this statement. 
 
 I may be wrong, thinking that part-bred horses are not 
 able to keep up great trotting speed for even a mile ; or 
 rather that when the trot becomes almost as speedy as 
 the run, none but the purest will be likely to do it 
 without great fatigue. I have seen a horse that could trot 
 a quarter of a mile in 31 seconds, the half-mile in 
 1 : 05, but could not trot the heat in 2 : 35, to save his 
 worthless hfe. Now a blood horse that could go the fii'st 
 quarter in 31 seconds would trot the mile in 2 :05, as far 
 as tiring is concerned. He might be unsteady and frac- 
 tious, but if such a horse as the one mentioned, if he did 
 not break in his last quarter, would be as good or better 
 than in the first. 
 
 Preceptor. — I will certainly not argue that colts, if al- 
 lowed room to exercise, can be fed too much grain, as I 
 am satisfied the best horses, and those likely to live the 
 longest, are reared in this way. As to the withdrawal of 
 them from the ttu'f when four or five years old, the 
 reasons are patent to any one at all acquainted with 
 racing. Inability to carry the scale of weights, as now 
 regulated, is one of the most fruitful sources. Those that 
 
BETSEY MA LONE AND CHAEMER. 129 
 
 have been well fed. vvheii young are far more certain to 
 have the stamina to do this than others not so fortunate 
 in their breeding. Neither will I contend against your 
 claiming so much for the thoroughbred. But you, just 
 as certainly, will not acknowledge the mei'its of those 
 which have half or more of the same blood. Half or three- 
 quarter bred horses for trotting, answer every purpose as 
 well as if they had the fuU modicum necessary to remove 
 the h. b. stain in the Enghsh Stud Book. Not only trot- 
 ters, but some of the very best racers, could not boast 
 of more. Look at old Betsey Malone, the "traveling 
 terror," never losing a race but when she fell down, win- 
 ning twenty-one in succession, at all distances, leaving 
 the turf when five years old, from an accident that re- 
 sulted in blindness. 
 
 Her daughter. Charmer, winning sixteen three-mile 
 races, emulating her mother by never losing one at this 
 distance, and in the aggregate number, recording nearly 
 double as many as any of her illustrious sire's get, never 
 handing in her checks till ten years old — her valedictory 
 a second four mile heat in 7 :43i. The first named mare, 
 by Stockholder, dam by Potomac, with the Glencoe 
 added in her nearly as celebrated daughter, is not a very 
 extensive pedigree, and has one advantage of not requir- 
 ing a horse memory, like that of Dr. Weldon, to remem- 
 ber it. 
 
 Pupil. — I have not succeeded in making myself under- 
 stood, as I never intended to take away any of the well 
 merited honors won by the part-bred heroes and heroines. 
 Yet, I fully believe the better bred the horse, the better 
 performer he will be at anything requiring speed, and 
 will fortify myself with illustrations that are not remem- 
 bered quite as clearly as I would like to have them, before 
 adducing them as proof. Betsy Malone, I am in hopes, 
 will be rescued from the obloquy that has always rested 
 
130 
 
 HORSE PORTRAITURE 
 
 on her and her descendants. I am informed by a friend, 
 that he had made a discovery that her grandam was by 
 imported Diomed, and the only flaw was that derived 
 from the Potomac strain. 
 
 I will now proceed to build my training-stable ; hoping 
 from youi* kind promise, that, if the fitting-up is different 
 from what you would recommend, you will inform me. 
 The location I have chosen is where the trees flank the 
 
 
 
 WALK. 
 
 
 
 < 
 
 STALLS 
 8x14 feet. 
 
 12 
 
 < 
 
 STALLS 
 8x14 feet. 
 
 ^ 
 < 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WALK. 
 
 
 
 60 feet. 
 
TRAINING-STABLE. 131 
 
 house to the north-east, and under their shelter. There 
 is a httle knoll there that will give perfect drainage, and 
 the track will approach within one hundred yards. Twenty 
 stalls will be as many as we wiU need for a time, and the 
 form is such that they can be added, without detriment to 
 comfort or appearance. 
 
 I have drawn a rough sketch of the ground floor, which 
 will aid me in making my ideas intelHgible. The whole 
 area enclosed is sixty by a hundred feet. Of this space 
 ten feet in width is taken up for a walk, the benefits of 
 which will readily be seen. By having this walk sheltered 
 fi'om storms we never miss the advantage of having the 
 horses exercised, no matter how bad the weather is ; and 
 in this northern latitude, by having it well littered with 
 straw, we can gain a month in preparing the horses, 
 equalizing our chance in the spring races with those living 
 farther South. The outer wall is so arranged that there 
 are large openings to both doors and windows; hence, 
 when the weather requires it, there can be as free a circu- 
 lation of air as if entirely open. The height of this story 
 is ten feet, with the same distance to the plate, making 
 the post twenty feet high. There is a double row of box 
 stalls, with an alley between twelve feet wide ; each stall 
 is 8x14 feet, sealed with matched boards, presenting 
 a uniform smooth surface. Well seasoned black walnut 
 is the material used, which can be got in this section of 
 Iowa nearly as cheap as pine. There are two doors in 
 each stall, one opening to the walk, the other to the alley. 
 There are openings for ventilation at the top of the stall, 
 with others at the base to pass off the heavy, impure 
 air, that otherwise would not escape when the door is 
 closed. The feed boxes are arranged in one corner of 
 the stall, shding through a place cut in the wall, and 
 when not in use are left projecting into the alley. The 
 hay is fed by placing it on the straw forming the bedding, 
 
132 HORSE POETRAITUuE. 
 
 SO tlia,t tlie horse lias nothing in the way to injure him- 
 self. Should he want to roll, there is plenty of room for 
 him to do so, and it is impossible to get himself in a po- 
 sition where he will be hurt. There are, of course, no 
 halters used, as that would negative the benefit of our 
 boxes, and reduce them to the level of a space six feet by 
 ten. The window is at the top of the stall, and the doors 
 are divided so that the upper portion can be left open 
 when desired. The whole of the feeding and bedding is 
 supplied from the alley. The hay, straw, and feed, are 
 stored in the upper story. There are spouts that bring 
 the oats and cracked corn into receptacles convenient to 
 the feed boxes, and shutes to slide the hay and straw where 
 it is required. There are staii-s that can be slung to the 
 joists overhead when needed to be oiit of the way, as we 
 drive the wagons loaded with grain through the alley, 
 and discharge the load, by the help of a block and tackle, 
 into the bins overhead. This upper story can be divided 
 so as to meet our wants. Upwards of one hundred 
 thousand cubic feet from the floor to the ridge-pole is 
 accommodation sufficient ; and after storing all the hay 
 and straw required for the season's use, we have plenty of 
 room left for grain bins, harness room, sleeping apart- 
 ments, &c. The foreman's room should be large and 
 nicely fitted up, adorned with prints of the most cele- 
 brated horses, and plenty of books and papers to foster 
 the love of reading, which you and every one who has 
 tried it with the boys, have found so advantageous. As 
 more room is needed, it can be added by merely making 
 the building longer. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — Your stable is a novelty to me, and before 
 I condemn it, I will have to follow your plan of studying 
 the record to adduce proof that it might be bettered. It 
 covers a good deal of ground to get twenty stalls, but has 
 advantages that will probably overbalance the added 
 
MATERIAL FOR STABLE. 133 
 
 expense. You will need more room on your farm than 
 would be required if the grain, straw, and hay, had to be 
 purchased, as you will haul dii-ectly from the field, and 
 will save re-handling- by having storage enough for a 
 season's supply. A very convenient stable of six or eight 
 stalls can be buUt on the octagonal plan, and some day 
 I will show you a drawing a friend gave me, which I think 
 is very good. 
 
 I have thought that, on a farm where the material would 
 be convenient, concrete could be used, securing a cheaper 
 building than stone, brick, or wood. The material you 
 would use in the construction of yours, you have said 
 nothing about. I presume it would be a frame. 
 
 Pupil. — I would build the outside walls of the yellow 
 lime-stone, a quarry being opened at only a short distance to 
 obtain the stone the house was built with. A wall eighteen 
 inches thick would require five hundred perch, and can 
 be built there for $1,500. By using the teams and men 
 employed on the farm, and burning the lime on the place, 
 the cost would be greatly reduced. The interior should 
 be after the plan of framing at first termed in derision 
 "balloon," but which has taken the place of the heavy 
 timber once in vogue. By using stone for the exterior, 
 the building will not only be far more permanent, but the 
 expense of paint is done away with, and a more agreeable 
 temperament is secm-ed. The only drawback is that it 
 would interfere with making more room, if required. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — The dampness consequent on the use of 
 stone would be obviated by the walking-space between 
 the walls and the stable jjroper ; and when it can be built 
 as cheaply as $12 for a hundred cubic feet, I can see no 
 good reason for .not using it. As to the want of room, 
 the twenty stalls will probably be all you will need for a 
 long while, unless the proportion of trotters among 
 your thoroughbreds is far greater than I expect. I sup- 
 
134 HORSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 pose those looked for to make the finest of carriage 
 horses would do to have their quarters assigned them in 
 the boxes vacated by the brood mares. 
 
 Pupil. — It is very true that the room in the training- 
 stable is only intended for those we hope to dignify with 
 the name of trotters. The proportion can only be found 
 as the man was going to discover the race horse, by 
 " sarching." 
 
 I am glad that you have placed yourself in a position 
 at the outset to admit that there is a Hkelihood of once 
 in a while getting a trotter from the source I have such 
 great expectations from, as I have found plenty of men 
 who were so bitterly jealous of the praises awarded the 
 thoroughbred, that they could not bring themselves to 
 acknowledge there was any good in them ; foohshly think- 
 ing the merit admitted would detract from the fame of 
 other breeds in which they had some interest. 
 
 The prices that are now paid for styhsh, good-sized car- 
 riage horses would warrant the outlay I have contemplated 
 in the purchase, stock, and fitting-up of this breeding 
 farm, even if we never produced a fast trotter. I look to 
 these, as a means to compensate us, as much as to those 
 with the more attractive quaHty of speed; there being a 
 good deal less outlay in fitting carriage-horses for market. 
 I have not time for the disquisition now, and will also 
 have to put off building the track, as I have already taken 
 up the allotted time. 
 
CHAPTEE X. 
 
 COLTS IN THE FIESr STAGK OP PRBPAHATION — ^KOUTINE OF 
 WALKING, FEEDING &C. 
 
 Peeceptob. — We will now proceed to the stable, and see 
 tlie horses take their evening walk. It has always been a 
 pleasant scene for me to observe them performing this 
 very necessary exercise. How gaily the young things 
 move along ! Their joints and tendons are as pliant as 
 those of a deer; yet a few years of usage will make them 
 lounge in their movement as well as the veterans. 
 
 Have one of the boys lead out Clipper, to pick the grass 
 and gnaw the ground, which will assist the aperient me- 
 dicine we are giving. It would have been well during the 
 winter to have applied a light blister to fine down the 
 extra tissue that has been formed so long. As it would 
 be too great an inroad on the time now allotted to bring 
 him in condition, we will have to adopt a plan that may 
 answer, but not with the cei'tainty of a vesicant. To the al- 
 terative medicine we vsdll add daily doses of iodine in small 
 amounts, say five grains, which will act as a glandular 
 excitant, and aid the local treatment, consisting of poul- 
 ticing with hot water, and applying dry bandages over 
 the wet sponges, gradually drawing them tighter to assist 
 the absorbent vessels in taking up the extraneous morbid 
 matter, and removing it fi'om the system. 
 
 Blistering, a remedial agent of vast power, has fallen 
 into disrepute from the empiricism of those who have ap- 
 plied it, right or wrong. The legs of this horse would 
 
136 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 have been very much benefited by the application of an 
 irritant, as nothing would be so likely to restore the skin 
 to its proper functions. It now has an unnatural close- 
 ness and tenseness, arising from the adhesion of parts 
 underneath, caused by a deposit in the interstices, the 
 effects of acute inflammation at some previous period. 
 The emollient tendency of the hot water may relieve this, 
 and the treatment will be such as to render the cure of 
 the running thrush a work of some little duration. We 
 would defeat the end we have in view, were we to stoj) 
 the offensive discharge from the frog, before the system is 
 relieved fi'om the taint which causes the disease. 
 
 The walk your horses had before leaving home will 
 shorten the tirae required now in fitting them to enter 
 the second stage of the preparation. In my remarks on 
 walking, while we were going to the smith's shop, I left 
 much unsaid that ought to be fully understood at this 
 stage of the training, and while reprobating the practice 
 predominant many years ago, of walking horses too much, 
 think it very essential that a proper time should elapse 
 before they are called on to "jog." We will find a great 
 difference in the amount of work even members of the 
 same family are able to stand ; still, there will be less 
 variation in the time allotted for walking than when the 
 gait is faster ; that is, the walking given in this prelimi- 
 nary stage. As we progress, and it becomes an adjunct 
 to the trotting, we may find a great dissimilarity in the 
 members of your stable. Now, we will walk them all, 
 with the exception of Clipper and King, two hours and a 
 half in the morning, and one and a half in the evening. 
 The old members of jour horse family we assume to have 
 acquired the step necessary for fast trotting. The essen- 
 tials with them, then, is to obtain condition, and forget 
 bad habits. We shall be fortunate if we have them in 
 proper order for a race in three months. This, therefore, 
 
DIRECTIONS FOE WALKING. 137 
 
 will be the shortest time to which we will limit ourselves. 
 We will divide the preparation into three stages — the first 
 occupied with easy work ; the second, somewhat faster, 
 called jogging; and the third, calling at stated intervals 
 for as high a rate of continued speed as the animal is 
 capable of showing. In these three divisions, or stages 
 of 2)reparation, we will have to vary the feed as well as 
 the amount of work. They are now eating, on an average, 
 eight quarts of oats each, with as much hny as can be 
 eaten heartily. As we proceed, we will not only have to 
 increase the amount of oats, but will have to add hominy 
 or corn, which my experience has taught me as being 
 needful to keep up the stamina of a horse, called on for 
 severe muscular exertion. The first stage will now merit 
 all our attention, and the plan we will adopt wiU be the 
 following : At five o'clock, we will expect the boys to 
 open the stable, give the horses a few swallows of water, 
 and their first feed, two quarts of oats. When eating this, 
 the bed to be shaken up, and all soiled j)ortions and drop- 
 pings throwTi out. After this is done, a careful light dress- 
 ing, when the clothes are replaced, and the boys go to 
 their breakfast, having tied the horses' heads up, so that 
 they cannot reach the litter. The breakfast finished, the 
 string will go to the walking ground at seven o'clock, 
 where they will walk at an easy, natural pace till half- 
 past nine. They must be kept some little distance apart, 
 and when one stops to empty, the others must wait till he 
 moves. When brought to the stable, a light brushing and 
 whisping is gone through with, a bucketful of water 
 given, two more quarts of oats, and four or five pounds 
 of hay. The litter forming the bed is arranged, the stable 
 locked up, and they are left undisturbed till three o'clock, 
 when the next feeding time comes. This feed consists of 
 three pints of oats, followed by a Httle water, after which 
 they walk for an hour and a half, return to the stable, are 
 
138 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 thoroughly cleaned, dressed, their feet ]picked out, the 
 sole and horn washed, and their legs lightly hand-rubbed, 
 followed by their bed being properly arranged. At seven 
 o'clock they must have their full supply of water, the 
 balance of their daily quantity of oats, and about six 
 pounds of hay ; after which the stable must be closed, not 
 to be entered, unless some accident occurs, until the fol- 
 lowing morning. 
 
 The walk is commenced in the small yard adjoining the 
 stable, that a little of the eshuberance of animal spirits 
 may be worn away before going into the field, where the 
 increased space may tempt the colts into a frohc. "VMien 
 this walking has been prolonged to a suitable length of 
 time the muscles will have acquired some firmness, the 
 joints set, and the whole economy of the fi'ame in a po- 
 sition to undergo the second stage with increased advan- 
 tage. The training of race horses, while it necessitates 
 more care to bring them to the post in proper condition, 
 has the advantage of the distance being regulated to what 
 the trainer thinks is right. With trotters, after leaving 
 the slow and medium work, we cannot exactly foretell 
 what the distance will be. The brush that was only in- 
 tended to have been of a quarter or half a mile, ha 3 been 
 changed by the horse acting badly, so that, in order to 
 give a lesson in breaking, the work has been prolonged 
 more than was anticipated. Hence it is good poHcy to 
 have the animal doing rather below the mean, so that the 
 lengthened exercise his temper obhgates will not be det- 
 rimental. Your rough-coated favorite, King, not being 
 amenable to ordinary laws, will not, I suppose, deign to 
 walk in company with any of the others. I hardly know 
 what shall be done with him. 
 
 Pupil. — My high bred protege has lately given an ink- 
 ling of making a companion of Oriole, in the absence of 
 his mother, and I think I can teach him to take his wali 
 
PERSIST A NCE IN TRAINING COLTS. 139 
 
 in her company. I will first put the long rein on him, 
 so that he can follow in the rear, till the novelty of the 
 situation is gone, when I imagine he will not trouble us 
 in this particular. Your former remark, that patience 
 is everything in the formation of trotters, is doubtless 
 correct, and must be accepted as an axiom by those who 
 would be successful in teaching young roadsters how to 
 trot. You cannot look for them to "keep pace with our 
 expectancy, and fly," unless we are reasonable enough not 
 to look for the acquirement of sj)eed till they have a fair 
 chance of showing it, after years of patient teaching. It 
 requires a good deal of enthusiasm for the business to 
 make trotters of colts, and no one will be highly success- 
 ful who has not a great fondness for them. They are very 
 trying to the temper at times, and it is of the first im- 
 portance that we should school ourselves never to show 
 the rufiling. Neither must we be discouraged by the jeers 
 of others, "that we are throwing our time away in at- 
 tempting to make something of a brute that never will go 
 fast enough to carry the mail." "Once upon a time," at a 
 quarter race, I saw two men strip to fight out some 
 grudge that had culminated in the excitement attend- 
 ing on the running. One was a big, brawny six-footer, 
 called Barney : his opponent, a much smaller man, yclept 
 Sam. The feelings of the assemblage ran very strongly 
 in favor of the larger, and whenever he hit a telling blow, 
 he was cheered on, "Now you have got him, Barney," 
 " Hurrah for Barney ! " " He's nearly licked," with nume- 
 rous phrases calculated to keep up his spirits. But Sam 
 was a nervous, wiry fellow, and needed a good deal of 
 " punishment " to cook his gruel ; and, notwithstanding 
 the shouts of encouragement to Barney, he finally came 
 out conqueror, the big fellow having to be carried to a 
 neighbor's house, where he did not get out of bed for 
 several days. On congratulating Sam on his victory, 
 
140 HOESE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 whicli for a long while looked so hopeless, he told me 
 that several times he was on the point of "hollering 
 enough," and if the crowd had been equally divided in 
 their expression of sympathy, he would have done so, but 
 he was not going to gratify them, and every time they 
 shouted to Barney, a new courage would revive, his f aiHng 
 strength would return, and he would determine to die 
 rather than yield. This is the spuit to ensure success in 
 the handling of colts. I have already signified my ardor 
 of temperament for them, provided they have some good 
 blood in their veins ; the only thing to rely on when it 
 comes to the struggle, like that of the fight at the 
 quarter race. The often quoted stanzas from Shakespeare, 
 " Touchstone " says, delighted Jno. Scott, the great Eng- 
 lish trainer, so much, that he had a copy fi-amed, glazed, 
 and hung up in the room for the boys to commit to 
 memory, and declared, that with such a horse as there 
 described, he could win every Derby and St. Leger. The 
 picture shows that at that early day the thoroughbreds 
 had their prototype in old England before Arabs or Royal 
 mares were introduced. 
 
 "Round-hoofed, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long; 
 
 Broad breast, full eyes, small head, and nostril wide ; 
 High crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong : 
 
 Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttocks, tender hide, — 
 Look, what a horse should have, he did not lack, 
 Save a proud rider on so proud a back." 
 
 Nearly three centuries ago this was written, and it would 
 be remax'kable indeed if the immortal poet had drawn on 
 his fancy for this perfect description of a blood horse, or 
 could so faithfully have described one without an intimate 
 acquaintance with his points and capabilities. It is claimed 
 that on the poet's advent in London, the only means he 
 had of gaining a livelihood was holding horses at the door 
 of the theatre. This would give him ample opportunity 
 
"SPEED GIVES BOTTOM." 141 
 
 to study " the well-proportioned steed " lie has so faith- 
 fully "limned." I have always a great fancy to see the 
 horses walking, and my business must be very pressing if 
 I do not watch them through the whole course. Look 
 how majestically the Falcon leads the string, and is con- 
 tented nowhere only at its head ! " Never Mind " stumbles 
 along with that queer gait, placing each foot exactly in 
 line, and playing with May every step he takes. I hardly 
 ever knew a horse that was so much attached to his com- 
 panions. If you }out May in another stall, where she is out 
 of his sight, he will mourn until she is returned, refusing 
 to feed and drink till her presence gladdens his heart. 
 He is one of the horses that will require, in my opinion, 
 very httle walk when once put to fast work. His won- 
 derful speed will enable him to overcome faulty conform- 
 ation, and if brought to the post in the bloom of con- 
 dition, shall look for him to hve the race through, if not 
 more than two mile heats. 
 
 Peeceptob. — The adage that "speed gives bottom" is 
 only true in a relative sense. The possession of speed is 
 of com'se the first great consideration to be looked for, 
 and it gives an animal possessing it in a degree over an 
 • antagonist a superiority that is hard to counterbalance by 
 mere endiu"ance, when the race is of the kind now most 
 in fashion, — mile heats, best 3 in 5. Shakespeare's de- 
 scription would have suited me better if he had not put 
 in the short ear and straight leg ; still, it is remarkable 
 that he should have given so true a description at a time 
 when it was thought there were so few first-class speci- 
 mens in Great Britain. There are very strong arguments 
 adduced that our present horses are more indebted for 
 their preeminence to the Arabian and Barb than any other 
 crosses ; but I must say my behef is to the contrary, and 
 that the native breed were superior to the animals crossed 
 on them. I have read that a brother to the reigning King 
 
 7 
 
142 HOESE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 of France tried, over two hundred years ago, to get a bill 
 through the parliament, which would enable him to ex- 
 port mares, but it failed to pass. The privilege that 
 would not be granted shows the importance English 
 horses had at a time prior to the advent of either the 
 Darley or Godolphin Arabians. What a dissimilarity 
 there is in the walk of the race horse and the rest of the 
 equine family ! He swings along with a low, long step, 
 his tail vibrating like the pendulum of a clock, hung care- 
 less and loosely, a consciousness of power in all his move- 
 ments. 
 
 I will join in your enthusiasm for the royal blood, so 
 far as to admit there are no others that can vie with 
 them in grace or beauty of form. How often have I ad- 
 mired their symmetrical proportions, when I have seen 
 them in the first flush of youth stripped to start in a colt 
 race ! That is a part of the running usages that might be 
 well to adopt with the young trotters, more than is prac- 
 ticed now. I mean open stakes for three, four, and five- 
 year-olds, and would suggest that the amount should be 
 moderate, say two hundred dollars entrance, half forfeit, 
 with fifty dollars declaration. Entries to be made a year 
 before the race, with the time to declare forfeit extended 
 to within three months. This would stimulate breeders 
 to increase their endeavors to raise trotting horses, not 
 only giving a chance to win a stake that would be worth 
 a good deal of money, but would attract purchasers look- 
 ing for fast stepping colts ; and any that made a good 
 show would find a ready market. People are very much 
 afraid of trotting three or four year-colts, and a great 
 deal has been written and said about the danger of in- 
 juring them at that early period of their lives, by the 
 training requisite to make them trot fast enough to be of 
 any service. I cannot see that the risk of. injury is so 
 very imminent, if they are handled with proper judgment. 
 
COLTS IN THE FIELD. 148 
 
 and not made to exert themselves to the point of extreme 
 exhaustion. One great error is that a hard track is con- 
 sidered essential to train a trotter on. . An inch or so of 
 loose dirt would lessen the concussion ; and though the 
 drag of the wheels would require a little more force to 
 overcome the friction, the advantage resulting to the 
 limbs would far more than counterbalance this shght evil. 
 Pupil. — There is where my favorites would show their 
 superiority ; and admitting that they do not acquire the 
 trotting step as readily as some others, their stamina 
 would warrant them in being worked harder, without en- 
 dangering their future welfare. Any one who will take 
 the trouble to watch colts, when running in a field, will 
 coincide with me in the belief that they take more exer- 
 cise of their own accord, than would be sufficient to learn 
 to trot and endure the fatigues of a 3 in 5 race. I have 
 spoken before of the enjoyment there is in watching a 
 lot of colts playing in a field, their manoeuvres being so 
 varied that I never tire of observing them. At fii'st they 
 will trot oft* in divisions, throwing their heads up, their 
 tails, curving over their backs. What a grand quadrille 
 they are performing, — now advancing among each other, 
 wheeling in circles, and mixing together in seemingly in- 
 extricable confusion, yet in harmony with the stately ste]3 
 and flashing eye! This is only the prelude. Soon the 
 lofty trot gives place to the simultaneous charge, and 
 away they go to the extreme range of the inclosure, only 
 to rush back with accelerated speed. There is no need 
 of whip and spur to stimulate them to their utmost effort : 
 every one except the veriest dunghill is emulous to excel ; 
 and the most exhilarating "trials of sj)eed" I ever wit- 
 nessed have been on the vernal sod of a large pasture 
 field. It needs no one to pick out for you the blood in 
 these assemblages. A few courses, and some will cry 
 
144 HOESE POKTKAITUEE. 
 
 enougli, when long afterwards those of pure lineage are 
 gamboling with andiminished spirit. 
 
 I shall impatiently wait for the time to come when we 
 shall sit under the umbra of the oaks, on the knoll where 
 the old stone house is keeping watch and ward over the 
 quondam hunting-grounds of the Sioux and Chippewa. 
 The placid river looks like an inland sea, the mountain 
 snows in the far-off north swelling its waters tiU it is miles 
 across. The brilliant foliage of the islands floats on its sur- 
 face and is reflected from the flood. The waters extend 
 to the very foot of the hills, that looked so hazy and in- 
 distinct in the orange light of the Indian Summer. Now 
 they appear as if drawn closer, and you can see the white 
 farm-houses that nestle on their sides. The yellow lime- 
 stone bluffs frown hke giant fortresses, massive and gloomy, 
 on the eastern shore ; those on the west glowing in the 
 morning sunlight. The blue-grass carpet is fringed with 
 the flowering crab-apple, the calm air laden with their 
 sweet fi'agrance. The brown tlu'ush and robin are singing 
 a duet, and the prairie chickens are cooing their songs of 
 love. The colts turned out from the stable are wandering 
 hstlessly about, inhahng the perfumed atmosphere, till 
 one gives the signal, and away they go. What energy 
 and grace of movement ! Their lissome limbs seem en- 
 dowed with a spirit that compels them to rush along, ri- 
 valing the roar of the avalanche, as they drum music out 
 of the springy turf. The play of the muscles is dictinctly 
 seen under the pliant skin and silky hair, which takes 
 different shades hke the changing hues of the pigeon's 
 neck. No matter how long they keep i^p this exciting 
 pastime, you will feel disappointed when they cease, and 
 hope that after a short respite they will again go on with 
 the play. When you see this repeated day after day 
 through the whole summer, you will agree with me that 
 the work well kept colts take for their own enjoyment is 
 
COLT-RACES. 145 
 
 more than that which would be necessary to teach them 
 to trot, and be in condition sufficient to live through a 
 race without injury. One great object to attain in train- 
 ing is to have the colts engage in their exercises with the 
 same spirit and glee that they join in play; and by watch- 
 ing them closely we will be able to keep up that feeling 
 in a measure. If the task is not too arduous, they will 
 learn to like it, and bowl along the track or road v/ith a 
 zest that wiU nearly equal the pastoral gambols. There 
 has arisen a feeling that a race to be worth seeing must 
 be fast. Associations and proprietors, of course, have re- 
 cogTiized this by doing everything in their power to have 
 the fastest horses in the country grace their tracks, no 
 matter if one was so much faster than all the rest that 
 there was no show of a contest. This has led those 
 having the management of courses to throw obstacles in 
 the way of colt races, which would lack the speed con- 
 sidered so essential. The interest to me in a race lies in 
 the closeness of the contest. I would hardly walk a mile 
 to see a horse that could go a mile in 2:15 if pitted 
 against one that took five or ten seconds longer, not 
 quarter that distance, if I had seen the actors performing 
 before. To see half a dozen or more colts engage in a 
 trial which was to determine a bona fide stake, and settle 
 which is the best, would take me a long- way, and be of 
 far more interest than those hackneyed races now so 
 much in vogue. 
 
 Preceptor. — This starring system which has been so 
 fashionable for a term of years, has, without doubt, been 
 a source of great injury to the trotting turf, not alone by 
 making fast time the only attraction to draw people to 
 the course, but inaugurating the hippodroming evil that 
 has done far more injury. The large purses advertised 
 meant only a division of the gate money ; and people that 
 had been induced to visit the arena, expecting to see a 
 
146 HORSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 true struggle for the thousands of dollars said to be at 
 stake, went away dissatisfied when the transparency of 
 the humbug was made apparent. 
 
 PupEL. — The copartnership existing between the ancient 
 patrons of the Olympic games has been dissolved, so far 
 as the stars, or rather those managing them, are con- 
 cerned. The God of Strength has been discarded, and 
 they have enrolled themselves as the disciples of Mercury, 
 without deigning to copy the adroitness which gave his 
 stealings the charm of being so skilfully done that the 
 victim's admiration nearly compensated for his loss. We 
 are told by those conversant with the habits of one of the 
 western tribes of Indians- — the Blackfeet — that steahng 
 is a weighty part of the education of the young. The 
 junior dusky warrior is unmercifully punished if detected. 
 and as highly apj)lauded if undiscovered. This is akin to 
 the story of the Spartan youth, who denied, with un- 
 changed countenance, the theft of a fox. The savage ani- 
 mal, covered by his mantle, gnawed flesh and bones till 
 he reached the vitals. The stoicism shown by enduring 
 this terrible torture rather than be convicted, is certainly 
 to be admired. The corresponding thief, who makes the 
 noble horse the vehicle of getting his hand into other 
 men's pockets, is not the possessor of this redeeming qua- 
 lity of manliness. However, my acquaintance with the 
 class has been limited, and they may possess attributes 
 which I have never seen, though it will take -conclusive 
 proofs to have me believe there is any good in them. It is 
 a pity the Indian and Sj)artan method had not been 
 employed in finishing their education ; and while they 
 learned to be adepts sufficient to conceal theii' depre- 
 dations, it would have saved the obloquy from resting on 
 the whole fraternity by the evil-doings of a few. 
 
 Peeceptor. — It is a matter to be forever regretted that 
 there should have been those who were willing to degrade 
 
REPUTATION OF RACE-COUESES. 147 
 
 themselves by the practices you mention. My experience 
 has led me to believe that there are very few who have 
 erred, yet there have been enough of them detected in 
 their villainies, to throw blame on all connected with this 
 chief of sports. 
 
 The matter, however, is working its own cure, and wiU 
 forever be banished from all respectable courses, and 
 those with a dirty record will be watched so closely, that 
 certain ostracism will follow a relapse into former bad 
 habits, 
 
CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 EFFECT OF WEATHER ON CONDITION — GOVERNMENT AID IN EN- 
 COURAGING BREED OP HORSES — GENERAL GRANT — STABLE TRICKS, 
 
 Preceptor. — The morning is again beautiful. How 
 much we ought to prize the fine weather that is meted to 
 us by the goodness of the Great Father ! We repine if a 
 shower or mist interferes in the sHghtest manner with 
 our business or pleasure, and give no thanks when the 
 skies are as propitious as now. 
 
 Favorable weather is of great importance in getting our 
 horses in condition, and rain and sudden changes often 
 render nugatory the care we have bestowed upon them, and 
 upset all our calculations. My plan is to work, no matter 
 what the weather is. Of course, the amount of labor will 
 not be the same ; but it would be a tempest indeed that 
 kept my horses in the stable twenty-four hours at a time. 
 
 Condition is much sooner lost than acquired ; and as 
 condition cannot be reached without continued work, it 
 must be lost when we cease our exertions. It is not pleas- 
 ant for either driver or horse to work on a muddy road or 
 track, and the groom's duties are more onerous then when 
 everything is dry and pleasant. The mud can be kept 
 off in a great measure by using a cotton cloth, similar to a 
 belly-wrapi^er, with strings to tie over the back. The tail 
 is tied up and enveloped in a bandage, when the legs will 
 be about all that is exposed. There are some cases when 
 muddy roads are beneficial by satiu-ating the feet with 
 moisture, although horses with good feet, and shod in the 
 
G0VERI5"ME]SrT PREMIUMS. I49 
 
 manner I have directed, will never need this pluvial min- 
 istration. It is agreed upon by both advocates and op- 
 ponents of the Arabian horse, that his feet are always good, 
 the dry climate and the scorching sands showing that 
 water is not essential to his well-doing. The tnifc and 
 rasp do the mischief, which no soaking can repau*. 
 
 Pupil. — This weather is truly enjoyable, and I v/ill try 
 and keep it in remembrance when inclined to repine at 
 that which is less favorable. I was reading an article last 
 night, that has filled me with "vast ideas" which I am 
 anxious to disclose to you for criticism or commendation. 
 It was an editorial from the Spirit, advocating the appro- 
 priation by the General Government of one hundred 
 thousand dollars a year, to be applied in purses for races, 
 and distributed equally among the States. It struck me 
 that if the measui'e was carried out, the benefit to the 
 whole country would be immense, and the outlay would 
 return to the treasury a hundred fold increased, through 
 channels opened by this appropriation. The plan j^ro- 
 posed was to give the amount into the hands of the 
 respective governers, who should select a central place 
 where it could be run for under such conditions as Con- 
 gTess might impose. What an impetus it would give to 
 breeding a better class of horses in States, now wofuUy 
 deficient in those adapted for either pleasure or service ! 
 There is no country in the world, of the same extent, so 
 well calculated for breeding good horses as the whole of 
 the United States. The extremes, both North and South, 
 require that more care be taken than in that portion fa- 
 vored by a more equal temperature ; the South not being 
 so favorable for the culture of the grasses and small ce- 
 reals, and the North requiring a greater outlay for warm 
 stables, and a larger supply of fodder and grain. But 
 neither is a bar to profitable breeding and rearing ; and 
 the stimulus given by this contemplated movement would 
 
 1' 
 
ISO HORSE POETKAITURE. 
 
 quicken farmers to prepare themselves with all the re- 
 quirements necessary for the propagation. My idea would 
 be to confine the government purses to horses owned in 
 the States where the trial was to be, and, after a proper 
 lapse of time, to those bred there. The reason why I 
 would confine it to horses owned in individual States is, 
 that the object to be gained is the improvement of stock 
 over the whole country, and not in one particular section 
 where breeding has been established, without other aid 
 than the fondness of the inhabitants for turf sports, 
 coupled with a chmate and soil favorably endowed by 
 nature for breeding the best horses with the least outlay 
 and care. With this assistance from government, there is 
 not a North-western State which would not soon be filled 
 with the blood from those localities where the race horse 
 is now jDrevalent, The demand would enhance the value, 
 and create a market that would remunerate the breeders 
 far better than if they were allowed to make a circuit with 
 their best animals, and sweep the board of every purse 
 offered. You will pardon me for again introducing Iowa; 
 I only do so from being more famihar with her people 
 and resources than those of any other State. I removed 
 there when a mere boy, soon after she had been admitted 
 into the sisterhood of States, before the clatter of a loco- 
 motive had been heard within hundreds of miles, when 
 her population was mainl}'' confined to the river counties, 
 and the only market was down the Mississippi. "VVe can 
 point with pi'ide to the position she now occupies, and 
 may be pardoned if we provoke a smile at the magnitude 
 of our anticipations for her futui-e. The few thousand 
 dollars Iowa would receive as her proportion of the race 
 hiixd would work wonders iu the introduction of blood 
 stock. 
 
 There are several gentlemen of my acquaintance who 
 would delight in owning and training race horses, if there 
 
STATE RIVALET AN ADVANTAGE.. 151 
 
 were an opportunity of running them for adequate purses 
 within the limits of the State. Should the contests be 
 confined to those horses actually owned there, and after 
 a suitable lapse of time to those bred there, thoroughbred 
 stalhons would be located in nearly every county. These 
 State contests, determining which was the best, would en> 
 hance the interest in the general race meetings by bring- 
 ing together the State victors, and afterwards the con- 
 queror of the West would meet the Eastern champion at 
 Saratoga, Paterson, or Westchester, the winner making- 
 good his title to the premiership. 
 
 The small amount donated by CongTess would set the 
 ball in motion, not so much from the money value, as the 
 efi:ect it would have to popularize the sport. Should the 
 Governor of Iowa say to the various smart little cities 
 within her boundaries, "I have such a sum put in my 
 hands for the encouragement of breeding a better class of 
 horses than now exist in our State. It is conceded by 
 those conversant with the matter, that the best way to 
 appropriate this sum to eflect the object in view, is to 
 give it in prizes for horses running long distances. 
 Which city will build the best course, put up the neces- 
 sary buildings, and add an amount sufficient to ensure a 
 variety of races suitable for all classes, on a guarantee of 
 having it located for ten years at that place?" There 
 would be so many liberal offers that the difficulty would 
 bo to discriminate between them, and select the most fa- 
 vorable ; for to my knowledge there are half a dozen places 
 that would give all needed, to have two good meetings a 
 year. Confining the races for the government money to 
 horses owned in the State, would ensure the colts being 
 kept for breeding purposes; and the rivalry between those 
 determined to own the best, would lead them to select for 
 purchase animals that are ranked high in places where 
 the thoroughbred has been reared for long periods. It 
 
152 HORSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 would not be long ere the good effects would be visible ; 
 not only in improving horses for cavalry service, but road, 
 trotting and carriage horses would be more jilentiful and 
 of a great deal better quahty. I have thought so much 
 of the scheme since reading the article alluded to, that 
 I am fuU of the subject; and to follow it in all its bearings 
 for the good of the horse stock would be a trial to your 
 patience more formidable than I am inclined to pimish 
 you with. However, it is so intimately blended with the 
 breeding of trotters that I hope every effort will be made 
 to have such a project become a law. There are enough 
 influential men in every State interested in the welfare of 
 the horse, who, if united in their endeavors to press the 
 matter on the members of Congress from their respective 
 districts, could render its success sure. I feel confident 
 General Grant would recommend it, even if ten times the 
 amount were asked for, for the benefit that would follow 
 to the improvement of the cavalry alone. During the last 
 Illinois State Fair, the General, attended by a brilliant 
 comx)any of general ofiicers, was present. Though he 
 |)aid great attention to the various departments, it was 
 '50on evident which was of the most interest to him. An 
 old man, whose appearance was striking from the pecu- 
 liarity in his manner and apparel, came in upon the judge's 
 stand where the General was seated, and asked his per- 
 mission to name a favorite colt, then on the ground, 
 after him. The request was courteously acceded to by 
 the hero, with the promise of visiting his namesake before 
 he left the ground. The old gentleman Avithdrew to pre- 
 pare the colt for the distinguished company, and on the 
 ajDproach of Grant, led him to the fi'ont of the stall. Well 
 did he merit the encomiums bestowed on him b}^ his 
 breeder. 
 
 Tlie v>^hole group was striking, and as I looked at the 
 few comprising it, I would have given a pretty good trotter 
 
GEK. GEANT AJSTD THE COLT. 153 
 
 to have had a faithful picture of the scene. The old man 
 was apparently verging on that period of hfe allotted by 
 the psalmist as its close, but possessing all the vigor of 
 manhood. His form was tall, spare, and sinewy, the right 
 arm gone, yet with the left he controlled the bounding 
 motions of the vigorous colt easily, the grace of whose 
 movements was rather heightened, than otherwise, by 
 the constraint. His hair was white, hanging in long locks 
 down his back. His clothing was home-made, a kind of 
 blue jean, that set off the tendinous frame to far better 
 advantage than the smoother broadcloth would have 
 done. The fire in the grey eye was as brilliant as ever 
 flashed from beneath the silky veil of the most radiant 
 belle. The animal was of course thoroughbred, a deep 
 chestnut, with lithe Hmbs and glossy coat, his form pos- 
 sessing the symmetry due his breeding. The General's 
 square, massive face expressed pleasure more than I 
 had ever seen it while receiving the ovations of the most 
 demonstrative crowd. General Logan, with one or two 
 officers of the Agricultural Society and Driving Park As- 
 sociation, were the only persons present. The colt's 
 bridle was decorated with knots of blue ribbons, betoken- 
 ing the first premiums he had received. The old man, 
 after allowing a few minutes to elapse for the General to 
 scan his beautiful proportions and lightness of movement, 
 said, "There is your namesake. General. I have bred 
 many a good colt, but this is the most likely one I ever 
 raised. He has taken twelve blue ribbons, and nary red 
 one." 
 
 The General very handsomely signified his admiration, 
 and the old man rej^laced in the stall the colt whose elas- 
 tic step Vv'asnot a whit more bouyant than that of the man 
 who had owned his progenitors for many a generation. 
 I am quite a hero-worshipper, yet I thought more of Ge- 
 neral Grant for the unassuming way with which he gi'anterl 
 
154 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 tliat old man's request, as if lie were the party honored, 
 than for all the battles he ever gained. 
 
 Peeceptok. — That was a beautiful trait in the character 
 of the successful military chieftain whom a whole people 
 are anxious to honor, — escaping from the plaudits of a 
 crowd to gratify one humble individual by the admiration 
 of his colt. 
 
 The plan you speak of, if forced upon the attention of 
 Congress, would do even more for the improvement of 
 horses than the most sanguine supporters claim. Poh- 
 ticians, however, will not see the benefit, as there is 
 nothing to be gained by them from the appropriation. 
 Incorporate with this bill a whole army of useless offices, 
 with rich salaries, and it will go through the House hke 
 a " prairie on fire," as that would make places to reward 
 adherents and relatives for their aid in elections. Farm- 
 ers are the most indolent men in the world in looking 
 after their interests not immediately connected with their 
 bit of land. They never will learn the lesson taught by 
 the faggots resisting all efforts to break them when 
 united, but which is so easily accomplished when mi- 
 bound. Broach this subject to them, and nine out of ten 
 will admit its merits — not one in a hundi-ed second it 
 with an effort, or sign a petition, if you have not pen 
 ready to place in their fingers. Once make it popular, 
 and the Hon. M. C.'s will vote for it, even if lacking the 
 essentials I have before remarked. How are you going 
 to do this ? Not thi-ough the political press ; their col- 
 umns are filled with stuff disgusting to a man not biased 
 by party drill. The agricultural press, in their advocacy 
 of fat bullocks, swine, and sheep, ignore the horse that 
 has speed enough to carry one comfortably to mill or 
 market, from a feeling of jealousy at the prominent place 
 occupied by horses and "jockeys" at the fairs, these very 
 horses, enabHng managers to pay premiums to cattle 
 
UNITED ACTION OF H E S E -B K E E D E R S. 155 
 
 which were it not for the interest taken by the multitude 
 on the very animals thus decried by the cattle-breeders, 
 they could never do. Our Government, at an outlay 
 of several hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, 
 publishes a work, called the "Eeport of the Commissioner 
 of Agriculture." One year it was of vast importance to 
 the horse -breeding interest, the result of an article 
 written by one familiar with the subject. The last issue 
 has an account of a mongrel, only amounting to an ad- 
 vertisement for one individual horse; and the volume 
 preceding the one containing Mr. — 's first-rate article, 
 contained one written by a prominent agricultural writer, 
 yet so devoid of truth that the merest tyi'O in horse 
 breeding would not have been misled by it. How then 
 will you effect the poj)ularity requisite to carry the bill 
 you propose through Congress and on its intrinsic merits 
 without adventitious aid? 
 
 Pupil. — By each man that subscribes for a turf paper 
 constituting himself an agent and canva.sser to increase 
 its circulation, till the masses become acquainted with the 
 efforts that are making for the benefit of the country at 
 large through the improvement of the stock ; by calling 
 the attention of people to the course pursued by other 
 countries in encouraging by governmental aid the pro- 
 duction of the true ty|)e of animals fi'om which to breed; 
 by invoking influential men in every State to enforce 
 their views through channels open to them, — subscribing 
 to truths with which they are familiar, and which would 
 need no further guarantee than their proper signature. 
 I could name hosts of the very foremost men all over the 
 country interested in this joroject, whose concerted sup- 
 port would insure its success. I read a notice in a paper 
 that has a bearing on this, and reminded me of our former 
 conversation regarding the English women, horses, and 
 trees. I transcribed it, as every countrj'^ there mentioned 
 
156 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 lends its influence through money appropriations to the 
 advancement of the breed of horses. It is copied from 
 "The EngHsh at Home." 
 
 " England produces three objects which are met with 
 everywhere, but which in this island are remarkable for 
 then* marvelous beauty — the women, the trees, and the 
 horses. Moreover, every place which raises a race of 
 horses worthy of admiration is also peopled by pretty 
 women. What is the cause of the coincidence is not easy 
 to say; but this strange correlation is not the less real. 
 Georgia rears the best horses of the East. The i^lains of 
 La CamerquCj in the neighborhood of Aries, famous for 
 its lovely gu-ls, preserves the blood of the Moorish coursers 
 in a state of nature. The Andalusian maid attains her 
 perfection of form by the side of the most symmetrical 
 steeds of the Peninsula. At Mecklenburg you behold the 
 purest blood of Germany; and when a phalanx of Amazons 
 gallops along the avenues of the London parks, the daz- 
 zled eye cannot fix itself with indifference either on the 
 ecuyere or the animal on which she is mounted. Let a 
 young girl draw up her horse under a lofty tree, and you 
 will contemplate, grouped in a single picture, the three 
 marvels of England." 
 
 The comparison will hold good in our own country, as 
 will be readily admitted by those who are famihar with 
 the beauty of the females in those regions most remark- 
 able for fine horses. I will not try any more than the 
 author above quoted to account for the parallel. It is 
 very true that the beauty of the thoroughbred is nearly 
 akin to the highest type of female loveliness. The flowing 
 hues made up of curves identical with Hogarth's line of 
 grace and beauty; the highbred look, the lustrous eye, the 
 silken, glossy hair, the gxace of movement, the pliability 
 of limb, and the rounded form free from all grossness. 
 Hang up a pictui'e of the Venus de Medici, by the side 
 
IMPOBTAN'CE OF QUALITY IN HORSES. 157 
 
 of that of Bees\/mg, and you will find more than one point 
 of resemblance. 
 
 Peeceptor. — Without seeing the resemblance, I will cor- 
 dially admit that they are both very much to be admired, 
 and after a handsome woman, a handsome horse has the 
 next place in my favor. But all this will not help the 
 passage of the bill through Congress. "With the co-ope- 
 ration of the influential horse admirers, both East and 
 West, the thing would be easier of solution. This cer- 
 tainly looks like the most feasible way. I know of hun- 
 dreds who would do everything in their power to assist 
 in getting such a law enacted. Horse races having be- 
 come the fashion at Saratoga, would materially advance 
 the cause. Yet it wants to be looked at in a higher light 
 than merely the means of aiding a listless crowd to dawdle 
 away their time. The very existence of a country may 
 depend on the quality of the horses ; and if those used 
 in the late war had been of a higher grade, the cavah'V 
 would not only have been more effective, but the cost to 
 our government would have been much less. In time 
 of peace the merits of the horse, if not so apparent are 
 equally of the same importance ; the horse, more than 
 any other animal, belonging to the highest civilization, 
 and aiding more than all others the development of a 
 country. 
 
 This talk has rather led us away from the animals im- 
 mediately under our charge. As their treatment will need 
 but Httle variation for a week or two, till they commence 
 jogging, the only thing required is to see that they are 
 regularly fed, groomed, and walked, watching things that 
 may appear trivial, but which often grow in magnitude 
 till they are difficult to eradicate. Idle horses, or those 
 not working very hard, are apt to acquire habits that are 
 very annoying — as crib biting, weaving, pawing, disliking 
 to go through a doorway, kicking the sides of the stall, &c. 
 
158 HOESE PORTRAITUKE, 
 
 Tlie first is considered by many an unsoundness, as well 
 as a disagreeable habit, and tliey would reject a horse, no 
 matter how good, or ever so well suited to the business 
 they wanted him to perform, if he possessed this trick. 
 I do not look at it in this light, and apart from the an- 
 noyance of listening to the sound usually made by those 
 addicted, am not aware that it injures the animal. The 
 idea that they " suck wind " enough to make them any 
 more liable to coHc or rupture of the intestines, is cer- 
 tainly false in all that have come under my observation. 
 One of the finest " Gentleman's Horses " I ever knew was 
 a confirmed crib biter. He was a large, brown gelding, 
 nearly sixteen hands high, stylish and showy, had trotted 
 in 2 : 28, could pull a wagon almost that fast, gentle and 
 reliable in every place. If there was anything he could 
 lay his teeth on he was sure to crib, yet always kept 
 easy ; would stand an immense amount of work, and trot 
 long distances, but was never, to my knowledge, sick a 
 day in his life. The last I knew of him, he was owned by a 
 gentleman in Cincinnati, who valued him very highly for 
 his many good quahties. When horses have once ac- 
 quired this habit, I doubt if they ever forget it. By 
 having a box or stall sealed up perfectly smooth, they 
 cannot get hold of anything, and few horses will crib if 
 thus kept, though some press their teeth against the 
 smooth side and accomphsh it. There is a muzzle made, 
 through which horses can pick up their feed without 
 being able either to bite or get hold of anything with 
 their teeth. It is made with two small iron bars, joined 
 to the nose band of the halter, far enough apart to allow 
 motion of the lips sufficient to pick up their food. 
 
 Weaving is another very perplexing habit, acquired 
 from, I know not what, and when once learned I never 
 could cure it. Fretful, high tempered horses are most 
 prone to acquire it, and when at full work generally quit 
 
WEAVING AND OTHER TRICKS. 159 
 
 of their own accord. Some horses cannot be easy till they 
 have pawed their bedding quite out of the way, leaving 
 them the bare floor to lie on, soiling their clothes and 
 liair in a manner not very agreeable to the groom, his 
 duties thereby being much increased. Turning them loose 
 in a box, fastening a clog above the knee, will sometimes 
 cro-e this evil. When the latter is tried, there should 
 be a jjad applied to the shin, to keep the clog from in- 
 juring the very sensitive membrane covering the tendons. 
 From having been led carelessly through a doorway, 
 where .they have been injiu-ed, horses are afterwards fear- 
 ful of attem.pting the passage, and when urged to do so 
 wiU go through with a bound that adds greatly to the 
 danger. Compel the groom to get the horse square with 
 the door before leading him out, holding him firmly by 
 the halter, so that the leap cannot be made, never urging 
 him to go faster than the slowest pace ; in no case per- 
 mitting a blow to be given. Eather than use force, either 
 blindfold or back him out, until the fear is overcome by 
 judicious usage. 
 
 Kicking the sides of the stall is a very unfortunate cus- 
 tom some horses possess, and no amount of punishment 
 will cure one that has become determined in the practice. 
 Clogs and whips are of no avail, and it seems to be al- 
 most a species of insanity, compelHng them to kick away 
 till their legs are bruised and swollen from the blows. I 
 had one very fine horse that I had tried every method of 
 cure I could hear of without effect. When he was shackled, 
 of course he could not kick, neither could he lie down, 
 and I have kept him standing for a week, when in less 
 than an hour after the straps were removed he would fall 
 to kicking as fiiriously as if the lost time had to be made 
 up. I cured him by putting him in a stall about the 
 width usually made in livery stables, the sides of the same 
 length of the horse when standing with his head at the 
 
160 HOKSE POETEAITURE. 
 
 manger. A bar was dropped behind his quarters to 
 keep him from backing. Through the sides of the stall a 
 slot was cut large enough to admit a plank two inches 
 thick and eighteen inches wide. This plank came within 
 half an inch of his loin, and of coiu'se he could not raise 
 himself to kick. It was amusing to watch the rage he 
 would get in at finding his most violent eflbrts frustrated. 
 I looked for him to strike with one foot, and intended, if 
 he had done so, to let a shelf extend on each side as high 
 as his gaskins, which would have prevented it. The plank 
 over the loin, however, cured him, and I never heard of 
 his relapsing into his former bad practice, although going 
 from my stable into a stall that had not these appHances. 
 
CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 CONSTKTJCTING THE TRACK— BREAKING COLTS. 
 
 Pupil. — Stable tricks and ^dces are very annoying ; and 
 tne old adage of prevention being tenfold better than 
 cure, is wortby of being accepted as saving an immensity 
 of trouble, by nipping in the bud habits that become in- 
 curable when allowed to seat themselves. Idleness and 
 confinement are a source of most of them, and when horses 
 are in sufficient exercise there is not much danger of their 
 acquiring them. Having now a little spare time before 
 dinner, I will take up the history of the Iowa farm, broken 
 oft' when the training-barn was built. We will now con- 
 struct the track, and begin the education of the colts, by 
 this time well advanced in their second year. The field 
 where we will build the track has already been partially 
 described ; lying on the north side of the road that di- 
 vides the estate in nearly equal portions. I find an old 
 habit — so old, indeed, that it is one of the very first of 
 my recollections — still clinging to me, and which I will 
 never be able to rid myself of. My life has been twofold : 
 the actual, made up of rather more stirring scenes than 
 falls to the lot of every one, in which I have exhibited a 
 fair share of energy and determination ; the other has 
 been an inner Hfe, which has more than occupied its due 
 half of my years, — a dreamy, inactive one, where fancy has 
 taken place of reality, aftbrding day-dreams, more en- 
 trancing than the rosiest visions, dreams seen while the 
 
163 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 spirit was freed from its gross material covering, rambling 
 untrammeled thi'ougli every clime, and witnessing won- 
 drous things, the recollections of which have never been 
 effaced. These fantasies now make up a definite period 
 of my existence. It requires a strong effort of the memory 
 to separate the ideal from the actual, and I have often 
 detected myself recounting some adventure which was a 
 mixture of both lives. 
 
 I remark this, to account for my talking about the breed- 
 ing-farm as if it were a thing tangible and real, with the 
 brood mares, colts, fields, paddocks, and buildings, just as 
 1 have described them. When I return to Iowa, there 
 will be times when I shall walk over the pasture field on 
 my own httle farm, saunter along past the church and 
 school-house, and be disapjiointed, in climbing the Httle 
 elevation between these and the stone-house, not to see 
 the colts gamboling in the field, or the prairie rose and 
 woodbine draping the house, relieved now by nothing 
 save the shade of the oaks in the background. 
 
 The field is slightly undulating, and of sufficient extent 
 to get any shape we may desire the track to be. We will 
 adopt the one you recommend, — two parallel sides of a 
 quarter of a mile each, joined with semicii'cles of the same 
 length. The soil is just what is best adapted for the j)ur- 
 pose, — a dark sandy loam, the proj)ortion of sand being 
 small. The richness of it is attested by the corn growing 
 so high that there are stalks where the ear is almost out 
 of a man's reach, with the tassels waving fifteen feet above 
 the gTound. We commence by plowing deeply, either 
 using a double Michigan plow drawn by foui' horses, or 
 make two teams follow each other in the same furrow. 
 The advantage of deep plowing, is to get a stratum of this 
 easily pulverized soil that can be leveled without leaving 
 hard places near the surface, causing inequalities that will 
 be hard to get rid of. The plowing accomplished, the 
 
PKEPAEING THi; TEACK. 168 
 
 harrow and brush are used till it is in as fine tilth as 
 would he necessary to raise a premium crop of onions, 
 We will now commence walking the horses on it, which 
 will destroy the even surface and tread it into holes, A. 
 scraper will then be needed, and according to my idea, 
 the best is constructed on the following plan : Take two 
 oak planks, fourteen feet long and a foot in width. They 
 are placed together so as to form two sides of an equila- 
 teral triangle, the apex joined by strong iron hinges. Bars 
 are fi'amed in near the base, fastened only at one end, so 
 that the planks can be brought together or separated as 
 wanted. The plank on the right hand side, as you stand 
 behind it, is faced with a thin plate of steel, extending 
 half an inch below the wood. A chain runs from the 
 point two-thirds of the way along this plank, so as to 
 change the Hne of draft as required by the spreading 
 of the instrument. At the very end, a handle is bolted 
 on, by which a man guides it, and allows the dirt pushed 
 away by the steel-jolate, to be deposited wherever de- 
 sired, by hfting on this handle. 
 
 We commence on the turn, closing the scraper till it is 
 six feet across the base of the triangle, the left-hand plank 
 riinning in the furrow, which j^revents it shding to the 
 left, and the other side carrying all the loose dirt the width 
 that the instrument is set to the right. We keep on, 
 cleaning out the ditches the same way as on the stretches, 
 only that we close the scraper still more as we want a 
 level surface there, while the turns should be formed so as 
 to have a gradual sIo^dc rising fi-om the inside. The out- 
 side of a track twenty feet wide should be raised two feet. 
 Having followed the inside furrow once round the track, 
 we open the wings of the scraper, keeping the draught 
 chain regailated so as to carry the dirt on the semicircles 
 further towards the outside ; while on the stretches it is 
 drawn in such a manner that the loose soil is leveled 
 
164 HOESE POETEAITURE. 
 
 only, a very small proportion of it finding its way outside. 
 As the track becomes hard, we load the scraper, to enable 
 it to cut off the inequalities, depositing the surplus in the 
 depressions. 
 
 We will also want a harrow, built after a different 
 plan from the ajsproved agricultural pattern. The teeth 
 should be made of steel, a quarter of an inch thick, and 
 one and a half inches wide, hammered to a point, and the 
 edge sharpened. These teeth are set in a frame and in- 
 clined a httle backward. They are placed in three di- 
 visions, arranged so they will cut the space in which they 
 run into inch strips. A pole is necessary that it may fol- 
 low the team, which is further controlled by handles like 
 those of a plow. Should the track become hard, this in- 
 strument cuts it up very effectually to the depth required, 
 leaving a light coating of loose dirt, which has a gi-eat ef- 
 fect in moderating the concussion consequent upon the 
 rapid motion of a hoi'se, also filling up the space between 
 the shoe sole and fi'og, the benefit of greater elasticity in 
 yielding to the jamming force of the blow thus secured. 
 We will find the constant use of the harrow, brush, and 
 scraper needed during the first year ; after that the track 
 can be kept in order with a great deal less work. 
 
 After a rain, the track should be harrowed when it has 
 become dry enough not to clog the teeth. This keeps the 
 surface from drying and cupping out. The brush spoken 
 of, I make by having an axle ten feet long placed in the 
 hind wheels of a lumber wagon, with holes bored in it 
 two inches in diameter, and six or eight inches apart. 
 The holes are sloping, so that, when the wheels are on and 
 the brush fastened in these holes, it will be held firmly 
 against the ground. Elm or birch is the best, the pliant 
 twigs lasting a long while before they need renewing. 
 This levels the newly harrowed surface admirably, and I 
 have never known any other instrument needed to keep 
 
DRAINING AND FENCING THE TRACK. 165 
 
 a track in first-rate order. There are, of course, exceptions. 
 The Chicago Driving Park Course is on a level, sandy 
 prairie, vphich cuts up in dry vreather till horses can only 
 wallow through the loose soil. A coating of clay was used, 
 but it was of a character that slaked, the track becoming 
 nearly as bad as before the apphcation. It was then 
 covered with a thin coating of coal cinders, obtained at a 
 neighboring rolling-mill. These, when properly pulver- 
 ized by a very heavy roller, made a great improvement. 
 Wet weather, which before the application of the cinders 
 would have precluded work upon the track, now scarcely 
 affects it. 
 
 On this rich prairie soil, there is not much difficulty in 
 either building or keeping a track in order. The team 
 does the whole work, and I have seen as good a training- 
 track as any one could desire, where there never was a 
 spade or shovel used. The drainage is effected by the 
 slope of the track, carrjdng all the water to the inner 
 ditch, two small culverts being sufficient to convey it to 
 the outside, where the natural depression makes a channel 
 for it to flow into a little stream that carries it into the 
 ]\Iississippi. As I remarked when locating the stable, the 
 track runs almost to it — so near that the shed for the 
 wagons and sulkies takes up nearly the whole space 
 between them. The track is fenced around, the first curve 
 with a board fence, the boards close together, and so high 
 as to present a formidable barrier, should a colt try to 
 bolt as he approaches the barn. The rest of the distance 
 the fence is of wire, and the newly planted cotton-woods 
 are expected to take the place of the posts, acquiring suf- 
 ficient size long before the present ones decay. The cotton- 
 wood was certainly created expressly for the prairie, its 
 quick growth and hardiness making it the very tree 
 needed for many purposes. It can be trained to almost 
 any form, either throwing out its branches near the 
 
 8 
 
166 HOESE POETEAITURE. 
 
 gr(jund, making a perfect pyramid of verdure when in full 
 leaf ; or, by pruning the lower branches, it shoots up with 
 a top not large enough to injure vegetation by its sha- 
 dow, or prevent the sun evaporating the water on the 
 course. This makes a fence that will last for many years ; 
 the galvanized wire being nearly indestructible, while the 
 living posts will be good for generations to come. The 
 trees are planted only six feet apart, and the wire will be 
 fastened to them by staples driven into the wood. The 
 only care needed will be to cut these staples as the tree 
 increases its growth, and replace them with others. If 
 this were neglected, the rapidly growing tree would rioon 
 enclose wire and staple, and the swaying of the tree in 
 the wind might break them, which the play of the wire in 
 the staples will prevent. 
 
 We are now ready to commence breaking the colts in a 
 business-like manner, and as the pleasant Indian Summer 
 days arrive, we will give our pupils the second lesson in 
 the horse "rudimans." They are all thoroughly halter- 
 broken, never having been aUowed to go a week without 
 being led and tied up. The head-stall of a bridle, with a 
 email snaffle bit, is put on over the halter, accustoming 
 them to wear it by leaving it on when they are fed. Very 
 soon the novelty is acquiesced in, and they become famil- 
 iar with the bit. We now lead them with the reins at- 
 tached, in lieu of the halter, accustoming them to tui'n to 
 either side as required. The harness, or rather the j)ad 
 and girth, is placed on them, and the driving reins are 
 applied, without passing them through the terrets, so that, 
 if a colt turns around quickly, we still have the reins in a 
 position to control him. Each colt is practiced thus till 
 he acquires a mouth, that is, till he will obey the least 
 touch of the bit, without bending his neck or sidling his 
 body. It requii-es command of temper, and great patience, 
 to make this part of the training effectual. But when 
 
BREAKING COLTS. 167 
 
 once thoroughly accomplished, the benefit will well repay 
 the time thus employed. It is not pleasant to walk day 
 after day behind a colt, watching his slightest motion ; 
 now touching him with the whip to straighten him or 
 make him answer the bit, compelling him to stop at the 
 word of command, and to move in a straight line till you 
 signahze him to turn with the rein. This is not as pleas- 
 ant as to sit in a sulky, and have him draw you while ad- 
 ministering the lesson ; yet you teach him this way far 
 more thoroughly. If placed in the shafts before he knows 
 what the bit means, or what is required of him in this new 
 situation, he will be far more hkely to get in trouble. 
 Should he move sideways till he strikes the shaft, he is 
 frightened, and throws himself violently against it, upset- 
 ting the sulky, or he becomes sullen and will not move at 
 all. The sharp single blow of the whip that you can give 
 in the former situation with impunity, cannot now be ven- 
 tured on without risk. You lead and coax till he plainly 
 understands he has got the advantage, and will keep it. 
 I can exemphfy this by recounting my " experience " with 
 a young mare I was training. She had been broken when 
 I got her, and the first notice I had of there being any 
 thing wrong, was her refusal to go past the barn, which 
 was within twenty yards of the track. If led for a few 
 rods, she would go on till she came around, only to be 
 more determined in her obstinacy. A touch of the whip 
 showed she had been coerced in that way, and knew how 
 to resent it by wheeling so abruptly as to endanger up- 
 setting the vehicle. I took her out of the shafts, took a 
 long whip and gave her the word to proceed. She shook 
 her head when a Hght touch of the whip was given. The 
 moment she attempted to wheel I hit her with all the force 
 I was master of in one blow. She retaliated by kicking as 
 violently as I had struck. I straightened her into the 
 track, and on her refusal struck her the one severe blow 
 
168 HOESE PORTEAITUKE. 
 
 again, giving her time to go on and never repeating the 
 blow till she was placed properly to go straight past the 
 barn. It was not long before she became satisfied that her 
 best course was to do as she was wanted, and passed and 
 repassed the barn without any hesitation. Had I attempt- 
 ed this lesson when she was in the sulky, confining her 
 with Idcking-straps, in all probability she would have 
 thrown herseK, breaking the shafts, or doing mischief of 
 some kind. 
 
 After the colts are thoroughly broken to the bit, the 
 rest of the harness is put on, and as soon as they become 
 familiarized with the breaching danghng about their quar- 
 ters, they are placed in the shafts, taking the precaution 
 of using a kicking-strap, though in all of the colts I have 
 broken but one or two have needed this safeguard. By 
 the time the snow and fi-ost have followed the golden au- 
 tumn, our colts are all broken, and are wintered much the 
 same way as the preceeding season, fed aU they will eat 
 heartily, and allowed plenty of opportunity for exercise. 
 They are now nearly as handy as old horses, having been 
 driven single and double, without requiring them to show 
 more speed than their natural trot. When brought safely 
 thi-ough the winter, so well grown and furnished, that they 
 look like three-year-olds, nearly all of them being over 
 fifteen hands, and " thick through as a hay-stack." 
 
 I beg pardon, as I find I have been talking as if I were 
 the master, in place of the scholar who hopes to profit so 
 much from your instruction. 
 
 Peeceptok. — There is no need of ofiiering any apologies, 
 as I have previously told you that your experience in rear- 
 ing, breeding, and handhng colts has been much more ex- 
 tensive than mine, and that you are therefore capable of 
 teachiiig me this branch of the business. I never broke a 
 colt in my life, though I have had horses that I would 
 much rather have had in a state of nature than as they 
 
BITTING. 169 
 
 were, possessing all the bad tricts a faulty education could 
 engender. There is one i^art of your conversation that I 
 want you still further to explain, — the mouthing, as you 
 termed it. Am I to understand that this is to take the 
 place of bitting, and if so, how it is effected, by merely 
 driving with the pad and reins ? 
 
 PupHi. — I am glad you have questioned me on that 
 point, as I have had frequent arguments with those who 
 hold to the barbarous practice of bitting, when done by 
 the old appliances, which is to have a wide surcingle, or 
 rather leathern roller, with rings, buckles, and loops, in 
 every place where there was room to sew them ; a strong 
 crupper and bridle, with a half-dozen reins attached ; a 
 large snaffle bit, with three or four little pendants joined 
 to the ring in the centre, like those worn on Mexican 
 spurs. These are put on the poor colt, the bearing reins 
 tightened till his head is thrown in the air, when the side 
 reigns are buckled, so as to compel him to bring his muz- 
 zle as close to his breast as the check will permit. He is 
 now turned into a yard, and his tormentor takes a whip, 
 and forces him to run around in .this confined space till 
 the man becomes tired. The victim is not released then, 
 but is left to fight against the bit, and endure the horrid 
 punishment for hours at a stretch. When asked the rea- 
 sons for thus cruelly treating him, you will be answered, 
 " that he may give way to the bit, get a proper, elegant car- 
 riage, set him on his haunches," &c., &c. There is not an 
 iota of sense in all this talk. The sensitiveness of the 
 mouth, on which much of the pleasure of riding or driv- 
 ing a horse dejDends, is destroyed. The constrained car- 
 riage of the head is anything but elegant, while the throw- 
 ing on the haunches, carries no meaning v;ith it at all. It 
 is very true that when a colt is first put to work, he has a 
 slovenly way of going ; his head is carried low, and his 
 whole appearance is very different from one that has ac- 
 
170 HOESE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 quired the graces of the manege. Tou see no lack of 
 beauty of motion and carriage in the same animal when 
 playing in the field ; and only give him time enough to 
 learn the lessons that cannot be hurried by a few days* 
 suffering in the bitting bridle, and he will surpass those 
 with tempers spoiled by that persecution. The first les- 
 sons our colts received were given before they were any 
 more afraid of mankind than they were of their dams. 
 King is the only instance I ever knew of a colt when first 
 foaled, being terrified at the approach of a man, who took 
 the proper method of making his advances. These colts 
 have been groomed, fondled, accustomed to have their 
 feet taken up, and hence are like old horses in these 
 particulars. During the summer, when the halters were 
 put on, they were allonged by attaching a strap to a ring in 
 the front part of the nose-band, which I think much better 
 than performing the same operation with a bridle or cord 
 put round the lower jaw, as that is apt to make the 
 mouth unequal by a greater pressure coming on one side. 
 When we commence driving them in the manner recom- 
 mended, a check or bearing rein is apphed, so loose- 
 ly, however, that it will not be felt unless the head is 
 thrown down lower than the level of the withers. This is 
 made shorter by degrees, accustoming them gradually to 
 the constraint, but it should never be allowed to interfere 
 with an easy carriage of the head. 
 
 I have found in some headstrong colts a propensity to 
 try to rid themselves of the check by throwing their heads 
 violently down, in some cases succeeding in breaking the 
 check rein or crupper strap. A judicious touch of the 
 whip wiU generally reform this conduct, and an additional 
 prevention will be found by using what is generally termed 
 the " Kemble Jackson check." I prefer using separate bits 
 for the diiving reins and check, if even applied in the cus- 
 tomary manner. The check bit is drawn too much into 
 
IKJUKIES FEOM CHARLATANS. 171 
 
 the corners of the mouth, while, by using one untram- 
 meled, the horse heeds its suggestions quicker, and the dri- 
 ver is not met by an opposing force which often counteracts 
 the effect intended. The muscles of the human arm are 
 far better than any dumb jockey, St. Andi'ew's cross, or 
 other contrivance used to mouth horses, and keep the sen- 
 sitiveness and delicacy of the bars uninjured. The force 
 is regulated by attending circumstances, and one thorough 
 lesson given in this way, will effect more than any one not 
 familiar with the plan would believe possible. I do not 
 believe in talking much to the colts when breaking them. 
 A pat on the neck, or the hand passed caressingly over the 
 face and nostrils, is much preferable to many words or 
 much fussing. The commands should be distinct, and the 
 tones of the voice, when giving them, as little varied as 
 possible. Every command must he enforced, and hence the 
 greatest caution must be observed that we do not require 
 what the colts cannot yet be expected to perform. There 
 is no question but that much benefit followed the teach- 
 ings of Rarey, though I am just as positively certain that 
 the injuries resulting fi'om charlatans, who have traveled 
 over the country exhibiting their ignorance and brutahty 
 has more than counterbalanced the good. I saw an in- 
 stance of this lately where a fine young mare — the get of 
 the Falcon, and out of a thoroughbred dam — was the victim. 
 She had been suffered to gTow up without handling, and 
 being a large, powerful animal, her owner disliked to com- 
 mence with her education himself. A pair of these travel- 
 ing knaves who advertised to out-Rarey Rarey, and claimed 
 to know aU of his method of " horsemanship," and a good 
 deal more, took this mare in hand. The battle between 
 the noble animal and the base bipeds was severe. They 
 had tied a rope round her hind pastern and into the bit, 
 and the result was what any one of sense might have ex- 
 pected. She tore her mouth to pieces, and injured the leg 
 
172 HORSE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 SO that there will be always a permanent enlargement 
 of the upper pastern joint. They effected nothing, and 
 when I saw her she could not be led out of the stable, if 
 strangers were present. I am very peaceably inclined, 
 and after a quarrel, feel exceedingly uncomfortable till time 
 obhterates it from my mind. But had I happened along 
 when these fellows were ill-treating this daughter of the 
 Falcon, there would have been a case of assault and bat- 
 tery, su7'e. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Your reasoning is, that bitting, as ordina- 
 rily practiced, is prejudicial ; and not having much know- 
 ledge of the subject, I am unable to say. It is certain that 
 a horse with a faulty configuration can never be taught 
 to caiTy himself in a proper manner. It would also be 
 hard to say which carriage is the most proper for a fast 
 trotter, as there has been as much difference in the cele- 
 brities in this particular as in others. Some have argued 
 that style is incompatible with speed of the highest rate. 
 That species of style which is shown by high, faulty action, 
 and a peacock demeanor, does not, it is true, comport with 
 fast trotting. Style, the result of proper form and good 
 breeding, is quite a different thing. The neck justly at- 
 tached to the body, springing from the sloping shoulder, 
 and ended by the right setting-in of the head, requires 
 but Uttle artificial aid to have it carried in a way the most 
 favorable to appearance, and not in any way antagouisti- 
 cal to speed. The bearing or check rein, is of great im- 
 portance in trotting, and the one you have alluded to as 
 the Kemble Jackson is httle understood, being used right 
 and wrong by those unacquainted with what it is intended 
 to effect. It is a powerfid auxiliary in handling tiu'bulent 
 horses, or those that require to be more " thrown on their 
 haunches," — though I agree with you that that term, so 
 long in use, does not rightly express what is meant. I 
 
DENTITION. 173' 
 
 will not introduce the subject of reins and bits till after 
 dinner, when we can give it the attention it deserves. 
 
 To-morrow, I intend starting on a trip that I had con- 
 templated making later in the season, but have concluded 
 that you will miss me less now than after your horses 
 commence the other stages of the preparation. They will 
 need watching, to see that their feed is regulated to suit 
 the appetite and keep them in about the same flesh as at 
 present. When feeding time comes, every horse ought 
 to signify his desire by neighing ; and if he does not ex- 
 press his anxiety on hearing the sieve rattle, his rations 
 should be diminished ; and those that unmistakably show 
 that their appetite has not been satisfied must have theirs 
 increased. The colts' mouths will have to be examined 
 frequently, to see that, while undergoing the process of 
 dentition, their mouths are not made sore from the old 
 teeth not being shed at the right time. The millc teeth 
 are partially absorbed by those growing to take their place; 
 and often hang by the integuments adhering to the side 
 of the tooth, and preventing proper mastication of the 
 food. Old horses frequently suffer from the grin ding- 
 teeth not wearing away evenly, leaving sharp, jagged 
 points to wound the inside of the lips. The file must be 
 used to reduce them to a proper shape. Horses that are 
 suffering fi'om this cause will signify it by partly chewing 
 the hay, which will fall out of their mouth, in consequence 
 of holding their head on one side to allow the food to 
 come under the pressure of the teeth on the well side, &c. 
 A decayed tooth may be the cause, though generally it is 
 the sharp one wounding the tender parts adjacent. With 
 the file made on purpose for this section of horse dentis- 
 try, and which is guarded from injuring by being made 
 round and smooth on the back, the job is easily accom- 
 phshed, though I have seen cases that were neglected till 
 
174 HOESE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 the wounded check became ulcerated, making a sore that 
 was very difficult to heal. 
 
 By the time I return, the Falcon, Never Mind, and Jane 
 vdll be ready to be harnessed. The colts you may begin 
 at once with, as the more practice they get, the quicker 
 they will learn ; and not expecting them to trot fast 
 enough to require first-rate condition, we will make the 
 first consideration to teach them as much of their harness 
 education as the time will permit. This is a matter we 
 also discuss after dinner. I feel that my digestive organs 
 are in proper order, and when the time comes for me to 
 take my feed, I require no stimulus to eat with a rehsh. 
 
 PupHi. — ^I am sorry to hear that I am to be deprived of 
 your company, though I am pleased you have made up 
 your mind to absent yourseK when your instructions will 
 be of less importance than in the future. I regret, how- 
 ever, that my affairs have caused you to change the time 
 of your trip from that contemplated ; and you place me 
 imder renewed obligations by neglecting your own inte- 
 rests to further mine. 
 
 Preceptor. — You need not mention the obHgation, as 
 perhaps I will leave you again at my ordinary time of 
 transmigration. I have some friends in the country with 
 whom I spend a couple of weeks semi-annually, and have 
 always timed my visit in the winter to the holidays, and in 
 the summer to the middle of July, when my horses could 
 be advantageously thrown up for a while, and recuperate 
 their health and strength ; all parties benefited by laying 
 in a fund that will carry us triumphantly through the fall 
 campaign. 
 
CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 BITS, SKAFFLES, CHECKS ; CUEE FOR PULLING HOKSES, FOR CALLOUS 
 AND SORE MOUTHS; TURKISH BATH, &C. 
 
 Preceptor. — I find that after eating heartily it takes a 
 little time before the ideas flow as readily as when di- 
 gestion is further advanced. The subject we are going to 
 talk about is of importance, requiring full use of our 
 reasoning faculties, unobstructed by the over-indulgence 
 in the good things we get here. Smoking, though, 
 certainly assists in collecting the scattered reins of 
 thought ; and through its soothing influence the mental 
 faculties throw off the lethargy induced by hearty eating, 
 and ideas soon coming faster than one can find words to 
 express them. 
 
 A person not conversant with horse life in all its 
 phases would be surprised when shown a full collection 
 of bits, — many of them useless, some worse than useless, 
 testifying that their inventors would have been in their 
 appropriate sphere if the old Spanish Inquisition still 
 needed their aid in devising instruments of torture. The 
 snaffle, in its various sizes and forms, is the most useful ; 
 and were we restricted to one pattern, that would be the 
 one chosen. But as we can pick and choose through 
 these and through all the varieties of the bar, chain, and 
 leather, it will be very hard if we cannot suit our horses' 
 mouths. The curb is generally thought inadmissible for 
 trotting purposes, though I have seen one or two instan- 
 ces where its use was beneficial. It wiU be almost im- 
 
176 HOESE PORTRAITUKE. 
 
 possible to prescribe, merely from bearing bow a borso 
 performed, or even by di-iving bim, wbicb style would 
 be best to use. Experiments will be tbe only guide to 
 direct us, and we will find many trials necessary to know 
 wbicb is tbe best for eacb borse under our charge. 
 
 Colts' raoutbs are generally gTeatly injured in tbe first 
 lessons given, and tbe delicacy of feeUng destroyed, by tbe 
 use of tbe machinery you spoke of. Many seem to tbink 
 tbis is a great point gained, and offering a borse for sale, 
 will tell you tbat be bas a first-rate moutb, — ^meaning tbat 
 be bas learned to pull against tbe bit witb all tbe force 
 of tbe masticating muscles, regardless of tbe pain to tbe 
 bps and bars. Wben I commence driving a borse tbat 
 bas not been injured in tbe moutb, I always use a 
 medium-sized steel snafile, witb long cbeck pieces and 
 stout rings. Should he pull too much on this, or drive on 
 one rein, I change it for a bar bit, again taking the 
 medium-size. If he shows a disposition to run away, I 
 put a chain bit in his mouth, which is as easy as any, if 
 bis perversity does not force me to punish him with it by 
 *" sawing.' Persistency in pulling generally compels me 
 to use the high check. Should the horse's action not be 
 ' ujuriously affected, tbe apphcation is generally effectual. 
 Before using it, I try the large leathern bit, with which 
 I have cured the most obstinate cases. Pullies or sbp 
 reining are only admissible when there is actual danger 
 of rurning away. The method lately j)atented will 
 usually stop the most obdurate. I have long been 
 acquainted with tbe effectiveness of having tbe power to 
 throw a horse's bead up when he attempts to kick or run 
 away. Still there is an advantage in tbe novelties that 
 are now protected by patents. TJiere is no cure for a pull- 
 ing horse, hoivever, like that of not pulling against him ; 
 though it adds to a person's steadiness of nerve to know 
 that be bas tbe applicances to stop a horse, should gentle- 
 
BI'TS, BEAKING-KEIISr, HEAD CHECKS. 177 
 
 ness not prevail. A horse can never be radically cured 
 of this propensity to pull, unless the driver is determined 
 not to gratify the morbid habit, but to ease away when- 
 ever he rushes for the bit, and teach him that his comfort 
 and ease of going is dependent on his ceasing to pull. 
 The celebrated English jockey, Chiffhey, wrote a treatise 
 on riding a race horse with a slack rein. I have never 
 been fortunate enough to see it ; but, judging from the 
 success he met with in " his mounts," his practice indi- 
 cated the truth of this theory. Before leathern bits were 
 in general use, I made one with a silk handkerchief. I did 
 not transmute the silk into leather, but wound the hand- 
 kerchief through two rings for check pieces. A pulling 
 mare that I made it for was reconciled, and worked as 
 kindly as any I ever drove. Some horses will not take 
 hold of the bit, not even bearing enough on it to keep the 
 reins straight. In some, this results from want of con- 
 dition ; others seem to be afraid of pressure at all times ; 
 while with others, it only occurs when they are very tired. 
 The bit is frequently the cause; and when a horse has this 
 very troublesome failing, I shift the bits, and sometimes 
 find that he has a hking for some peculiar pattern, and 
 wiU pull sufficiently to steady him, which is all that is 
 required. The bearing-rein has a great deal to do with 
 the education of a trotter ; and though, like many other 
 things, fashion has proscribed it for a time only to sanction 
 a more stringent use of it at another period. Very few 
 horses require to be checked alike. A difference of a few 
 holes will sometimes make a variation of ten seconds in 
 the time for a mile. 
 
 When a horse requires his head to be elevated very 
 high, then the " Kemble Jackson," or head check, is most 
 proper. Having a distinct bit for the check rein, allows 
 the one attached to the driving reins the right position in 
 the mouth, which would not be the case if it were drawn 
 
178 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 as far up as the angles of the lips would permit. Some 
 object to this check on the ground of the pressure on the 
 poll. This is not so great as is imagined ; neither is it 
 heavier than when checked to the same altitude in the 
 ordinaiy way. The horse not being able to lower his 
 head by curving his neck, he cannot get so much pur- 
 chase, either on the bearing rein, or those that we drive 
 with. This gives the advantage in managing turbulent 
 horses I spoke of before dinner, as we get them in a 
 position where they cannot use their strength. To illus- 
 trate this : grasp me round the body with both arms, and 
 at the instant you apply your whole strength to throw me 
 down, I push up your head with a slight touch of the 
 hand on your chin, and you will fall as if shot. This 
 check was invented, or at least used, to cure the celebrated 
 stallion, from which it derives the name, from throwing 
 his head dovm when in a break, and when he could not 
 be made to recover his trot with his head in that position. 
 The rapid improvement in this horse's gait, which placed 
 him at the very top of the hst as a weight drawer, is 
 ascribed to its use, as well as his going into the hands of 
 the " Field Marshal." This title, apphed to Hiram Wood- 
 ruff as a di'iver of trotters, is hardly right. He should be 
 called the Emperor of the Knights of the "Whip and 
 Snaffle, — the Field Marshals consisting of those who have 
 a secondary renown. Frequently there is a marked change 
 in the action of horses driven at first in this check, as the 
 weight of the body is differently distributed by the position 
 of the head. I have read an account of a series of experi- 
 ments made by French veterinarians in weighing a horse. 
 The scales were made in two compartments, or rather 
 two platform scales were placed contiguous, so that the 
 hind feet were on one, and the fi'ont feet on the other. 
 It was surprising, the difference between the weight of 
 the forehand, when the head was elevated or depressed. 
 
TBE KEMBLE JACKSON CHECK. 179 
 
 A horse that has a long dwelling stroke is compelled to 
 shorten it when his head is thus elevated, and. being 
 quickened in his recovery in a greater ratio than what 
 he loses by shortening his stride, of course goes faster. 
 Horses that have the reverse of this action would in a 
 corresponding manner be injured by the appHance. When 
 an animal is narrow between the jaw-bones, pulling com- 
 presses the throttle, and the result is roaring, high blow- 
 ing, whistHng, according as the area for the passage of 
 air is diminished. The outstretched nose makes a more 
 direct route from the nostrils to the lungs, and the breath- 
 ing is easier. The Kemble Jackson check is proper, then, 
 when a horse throws his head down in a break, and re- 
 fuses to catch his trot only at his pleasure, when the head 
 is thrown heavily on the bit, " hogging," as some term it. 
 There is a modification of this check for an animal need- 
 ing an additional restraint to the usual paraphernaHa, for 
 his proper government, but being so narrow between the 
 jaws that the breathing is impeded, and whose action will 
 be benefited by raising the head. The reins run over the 
 forehead, and through the loops between the ears, similar 
 to the Kemble Jackson ; but in place of running to the 
 water-hook, is furnished with gag runners through which 
 the ordinary bearing rein is run. I never could see that 
 there was much advantage gained, but I have known men, 
 very successful in training, who hold it in high favor. 
 
 The aUongeing you mentioned as part of the system of 
 breaking the colts, I have not viewed very favorably, and 
 have imagined that many horses drove on one rein owed 
 the habit to having been so used by calouses forming on 
 one side of the mouth, while the other was natural. I have 
 thought, with other objections, that are perhaps of not 
 much weight, that there is danger to the legs from the 
 violence of the animal, when confined in so small a space. 
 
180 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 PupHv. — To avoid giving this one-sided mouth, is the 
 reason I use the halter with a ring in the noseband ; and 
 when I want to tame an obdurate, headstrong animal that 
 cannot be handled with the halter, I employ, in lieu of a 
 bridle, a small rope about half an inch in diameter. This 
 I form by making a loop that is large enough to go round 
 the lower jaw, tying a bowline knot that will not slip. The 
 rope is placed over the neck, and the end run through the 
 loop on the left side of the jaw. The pressure then is 
 equal on both sides, excepting so much as is produced by 
 the friction between the loop and rope. Soft ground or 
 snow is indispensable, especially when teaching Ihe colt to 
 run around in so small a circle ; but it is astonishing how 
 soon they learn to go with safety to themselves. They 
 find out to a nicety how far the rein or rope will allow 
 them to go, and will just keep it straight without trying 
 to enlarge the circle in which they are moving. I have 
 practiced colts in this way for many years, and have never 
 been able to detect any injury to their legs from so doing. 
 You mentioned having known the cui'b bit used to advan- 
 tage with some trotters ; and I have known one at least 
 that got a good deal of his trotting education in one of 
 that character. 
 
 A celebrated western horse, that has trotted low down 
 in the twenties, and is thought by many enthusiastic ad- 
 mirers to be able to cope successfully with the best of the 
 eastern flyers, commenced his career when he could nei- 
 ther trot fast, nor be rehed upon every time to do what he 
 could, having a failing of buck-jumping whenever called 
 on to go a little faster. He was sold for a trifle, very few 
 recognizing him as a horse of any promise. The first races 
 he trotted he was easily beaten, through his proclivity for 
 going into the air. His owner, whose silvered hair and 
 beard betokened that the vigorous days of manhood had 
 passed, drove him on the road the following winter, and 
 
TKOTTING WITH A CUEB BIT. 181 
 
 till late in the succeeding spring. In order to drive him 
 easily, he used a curb bit, dashing down Michigan Avenue 
 in a sleigh, taking the lead of all the speedy ones that con- 
 gregated on that street of fashionable resort. No matter 
 how icily the wind blew from the congealed surface of the 
 
 lake, he was always on hand, and his " take care, ," 
 
 reverberated above the merry tintinnabulation of the 
 "bells, silver bells." When the frigid barrier was re- 
 moved, and the clear liquid "broke into dimples, and 
 laughed in the sun," from the perfumed wind that had 
 not yet lost the aroma of the orange-blossoms on its way 
 from the fervid South ; when the sails of many vessels 
 loomed white against the horizon, and dark columns, Hke 
 that which preceded the children of Israel by day, 
 towered upward from the gaUant steamers that were 
 plowing their way from the harbor ; when the birds were 
 pairing, and the prairie-flowers making their first ajopear- 
 
 ance, would be seen jogging leisurely through the 
 
 sand on Wabash Avenue down the road by the "ribbed 
 sands," where snug cottages nestle in the shade of fir 
 and spruce, and where the climbing rose was showing its 
 gTeen leaves on the trelhs, soon to shine resplendent in 
 its gorgeous blossoms. The sleigh has given place to 
 the hght wagon or sulky, but no change has taken place 
 in the bit. Here is a good piece of road, and " take care, 
 
 ," is heard above the sounding of the surge, or the 
 
 rattle of the wheels. The old man is waving his cane 
 over the horse's back, like the baton of a leader of the 
 grand orchestra. His white hair and long beard are 
 flowing behind, like the streaming pennon of the pro- 
 peller in the background, and his gesticulations are as 
 violent as ever Julien displayed when the crash of cannon 
 and the rattle of cymbals were keeping time to the brazen 
 throats of a hundred instruments. Truly, the horse is going 
 at a fearful rate ; nor has he time to buck-jump. The swing- 
 
182 HORSE PORTRAITURE 
 
 ing cane is remembered, and he knows that a mis- 
 take will surely change its direction from the horizontal 
 to the perj^endicular, leaving its impress on the black and 
 shining quarters. Predictions were rife that what little 
 good was in the horse would be cramped out wjjfch the 
 curb, or beat out with the cane ; but all such prognostica- 
 tions proved false. He never afterwards lost a race ; and 
 when rushing down the stretch a twenty " clip," I always 
 thought he recked httle of the whip or the "g'lang" of his 
 former drivers. It was visions of the waving cane and 
 streaming hair that carried him along, impelled by the re- 
 collection of a power he had been made to acknowledge. I 
 would not take away a jot of the well-merited reputation 
 the successful drivers of this horse have earned ; but I 
 cannot quite shut my eyes to the importance of the les- 
 sons he got from his owner, though administered in a way 
 not considered the best by "horsemen." 
 
 Pkeceptor. — Your episode is the best exemplar of the 
 difficulty of saying what kind of a bit is best calculated to 
 use, while trying to improve the trotting speed of a horse. 
 In fact, when I commenced this conversation, I expected 
 to be able to impart a great deal of information, but find 
 that actual practice will be the only thing that will illus- 
 trate the effect of different bits. What a variety of inven- 
 tions I have seen, to cure a horse from carrying the tongue 
 out of the mouth or over the bit, and all of them failures ! 
 The best remedy that has come under my observation is 
 the largest sized leather bit, filling up the mouth so that 
 the horse is glad to keep the tongue in its proper place. 
 When the mouth becomes sore in the angles of the 
 lips, it is often a very troublesome matter to cure it. One 
 of the best remedies is a wash made with a few drops of 
 creosote, combined with diluted aqua ammonia ; and it is 
 of great importance that the pressure of the bit should be 
 removed. To effect this, I have the noseband of the bridle 
 
BITS FOR SORE MOUTHS. 183 
 
 made of a thin steel plate, well padded, and covered with 
 soft leather. On each side, a small steel pin makes a joint 
 for another plate that extends down the cheek, and is at- 
 tached to the bit, leaving a free motion forward and back- 
 ward, but effectually stopping the bit from rising above 
 where we intend it to stay. This is also a capital contri- 
 vance where horses pull on one rein. When this arises 
 from one side of the mouth being sore, or from the cal- 
 louses I spoke of, horses generally bear on the side that is 
 sore, and, by lowering the bit into a well portion of the 
 mouth, not only gives the mouth ail opportunity of getting 
 well, but greatly enhances the pleasui-e of driving. 
 
 The celebrated writer, Mr. Brindley — "Harry Hieo- 
 ver" — ^when apj)ealed to for a remedy to stop a mare 
 puUing on one rain, recommended a snaffle, plain on one 
 side, the other very much twisted, placing the twisted part 
 on the side she pulled to, so as to punish that side, and 
 render it as sensitive as the other. This advice I deem 
 wrong ; and any one can convince himself of the fallacy 
 of it, by observing that the animal tries to modify the pain 
 of the pressure of the iron on the wound, by pulling till 
 sensation is not so acute. Should the habit arise from 
 one side of the mouth being calloused, then, by compelUng 
 the bit to stay in another part, an opportunity is afforded 
 for the thickening integuments to soften, just as the hard, 
 horny palm of the blacksmith becomes soft when relieved 
 from work. We will now take a retrospective glance at 
 the first part of our training exercises, which is soon to be 
 followed by a stage that will require still more strict atten- 
 tion. Training is not alone, what some have defined it 
 the art of increasing the bodily health and vigor to the 
 highest pitch. If this were the case, the system would be 
 benefited by continuing the exercises for an indefinite 
 period; and, barring accidents, a horse would become faster 
 and stronger the longer he was kept in train. This is true 
 
184 HOKSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 in a relative sense ; for, if the work is given judiciously, the 
 animal will keep on improving till the summit is reached. 
 Yet this is far short of the time a horse could be kept in 
 robust health, if not called on for the display of his utmost 
 speed and endurance. 
 
 Enghsh trainers claim to be able to have the horse at 
 his topmost rate, the very acme of condition, on a desig- 
 nated day, but will not engage his staying there forty- 
 eight hours longer. When this point is reached the bent 
 bow must be unstrung, and that very carefully, or the re- 
 coil will be more dangerous than the bracing requii-ed to 
 bring it to bear the necessary strain. Training, then, is 
 to enable the horse to do deeds, without injury to his 
 health, that, before the preparation he was utterly inca- 
 pable of perforrniDg, and, by giving a season of rest to 
 recuperate the taxed faculties, render him capable of 
 repeating the feat, till the time comes when years abridge 
 his power to j)erform. Again : the trotter has the advan- 
 tage of the race horse, in not requiring so long a time to 
 recover ; the exertion of nerve and muscle not being so 
 great. It is useless to argue that a fast-trotting gait is as 
 tiresome as the nm. Many claim so without having taken 
 steps to prove it ; Hke those who argued that a live fish 
 would not increase the weight of a pail of water, when 
 immersed in it, but that the " four-pounder," water and 
 all, would only be the same as before the addition. All 
 their arguments were of Uttle avail when the test of the 
 balance was applied ; and any one who will bring trotting 
 and running to a practical test will be satisfied which is 
 the most arduous. 
 
 It is very probable that Dexter could run in 2:18 1-5 
 easier than he trotted in that time ; but run him nearly at 
 his best speed for the same distance, and I will warrant 
 the distress will be more apparent. This first stage, as I 
 
FAT FORMIKG NECESSARY. 185 
 
 remarked previously, is a required probation, to enable 
 the succeeding ones to be endured with benefit. 
 
 Air, food, exercise, and a strict attention to cleanliness, 
 are the great adjuncts in bringing all stages to a successful 
 termination. While walking, there is less liability to get 
 wrong, in comparison with the stage requiring faster work ; 
 but walking can be prolonged tiU every muscle is inert 
 and inelastic. The coal-heavers or heavy porters would 
 need a good deal of attention and time to bring them to a 
 point to show a speed in a foot race they naturally possess. 
 The muscles, though capable of contracting with powerful 
 effect, take time to do it ; and though strength is gained 
 by walking, rapidity of action is lost. As all parts of the 
 body are nourished and sustained by food and drink, it is 
 of the highest moment that those kinds be used that are 
 Dot only nutritious, but of the quality that give the charac- 
 teristics we wish to develop. If fat only were required, the 
 variety of food containing the most starch and sugar 
 would be sought for. Fat is of essential service to a horse 
 when commencing training, but only as a surplus that 
 cannot be built up into muscle. That suj)erabundance 
 of food which has been deposited in all the interstices be- 
 tween the muscles, coating, and internal viscera, loading the 
 lungs, has uses which, if we only avail ourselves of, will 
 help us get the animal into condition. While we dimi- 
 nish this, we must do it in a manner that wiU leave the 
 muscles fuller and more pHable than they possibly could 
 have been if it had been absent. The getting-rid of this 
 fat will be the work of the succeeding stages of prepara- 
 tion. In the preHminary stage, we must watch that it is 
 not decreased, as that would denote want of health, or an 
 insufficiency of food to meet the wastes of the system. Al- 
 most every horse or colt should be able to take the amount 
 of walking exercise yours are now getting. Some fretful, 
 irascible ones, that would rapidly lose flesh from worry* 
 
186 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 ing, dancing, and fuming, would have to be walked b) 
 themselves, or in a small enclosure. There are others 
 with legs so weak, or having been injured, that give way 
 from very little walking. If known to possess great speed, 
 I would train such animals ; otherwise they would poorly 
 pay for the trouble. The most powerful auxiliary to aid 
 us in treating these is the Eoman or Tui-kish bath. With 
 its aid, we are enabled to get rid of superfluous matter, 
 and can train horses that would be exceedingly trouble- 
 some by any other method. The Turkish bath, however, 
 is rather an expensive adjunct to a training-stable intend- 
 ed for the preparation of trotters. The tight room could 
 be made, by taking extra pains in the construction of a 
 box stall, by having matched double partitions, thus leav- 
 ing a space for dead air. The furnace, and pipes for con • 
 veying the heated air, would he expensive, and their man 
 agement a source of trouble. If we train horses witl/ 
 shaky foundations, some other method will have to be de- 
 vised to keep them from giving way. What that course 
 will be can only be determined by the wants of the patient, 
 and the exigencies of the case. The hot-air bath, the vir- 
 tues of which were so highly extolled a few years ago, has 
 undoubtedly been the means of bringing horses to the 
 post fit to run and win, that could not have stood the or- 
 dinary preparation. I do not think it is of any service in 
 horses that are sound and strong. I never look for it to 
 come into general use, and in a trotting-stable, there would 
 be less necessity for it than in cases where a sjoeedy unsound 
 horse was wanted to merely run a dash of a mile or so, the 
 winning of which would ensure a good deal of profit. A 
 more proper time to enter into the discussion of this ques- 
 tion will be when we are giving the horses their first sweats. 
 At that time we will have the subject-matter fairly before 
 us, and will endeavor to examine it in all its ramifications. 
 Pupil. — At which period I will be all attention, as that 
 
DKIVIKO OX THE ROAD. 187 
 
 has been the point that has troubled me the most. Often, 
 when putting the sweaters on a horse, have I asked my- 
 self the questions : Wliat are you going to accomplish ? 
 Have you not carried this drain on the system far enough ? 
 He goes the distance without showing undue labor of the 
 lungs. It is true, many will say, he is not " drawn fine 
 enough ;" but do not his performances show this is a 
 mistake ? However, I will not trouble you with questions 
 now, awaiting the time when I can see the advantages 
 practically exemplified. I am aware — though I thank you 
 for the reminder — of the importance of this preparatory 
 stage, and shall watch closely each member of the stable, 
 to see that his appearance merits your approbation when 
 you return. The colts I can be driving, and hope, when 
 you see their action, that you will be as favorably im- 
 px'essed as you are with their form. 
 
 Preceptor. — The few days' walk they have had, since the 
 completion of their long journey on the cars, will be suffi- 
 cient to remove the soreness incident thereto ; and they 
 ought to learn something every time they are driven, that 
 will bring them much nearer being trotters. So it is best 
 to neglect no opportunity of tuition. The plan I would 
 recommend would be to drive them, on the road, to a skele- 
 ton wagon, and when you come to a smooth piece where the 
 grade is descending, let them rattle along merrily, striving 
 to keep them as nearly at their top speed as they can go 
 without breaking. If you fall in company with some one 
 who is willing to drive along-side, so much the better ; but 
 never extend the brush farther than a quarter of a mile. 
 They may be anxious to go along, yet, by restraining them, 
 vou will keep up that feeling of pleasure, which will en- 
 courage them to "try again," and at a better rate of 
 speed. King, I hope to find more amenable than at pres- 
 ent. He has been quite a study to me ever since I re- 
 ceived so unfavorable an impression of his appearance 
 
188 HOKSE POETEAITUEE. 
 
 He is like some of tliose old pictures, — the work of a mastei 
 band, that never fairly display their beauties till j^atient 
 study has discovered in them perfections of ai*t, that ap- 
 peared at first sight a mere confused mass of colors. The 
 colt requires the same study in order to bring out points 
 of speed and durability. 
 
 I will now bid you good-bye. On my way I will drop 
 into the stable to give the Falcon my valediction. In 
 two weeks I will return, and he will be the first horse I 
 shall want to see harnessed. 
 
CHAPTEE XIV. 
 
 FALCON AO^D NEVER MIND ON THE ROAD; THE COLTS MAY AND 
 DELLE ON THE TRACK. 
 
 Pupil. — ^Well pleased am I, my worthy master, to see 
 that the country trip has been of such great benefit to 
 your personal appearance. You seem quite rejuvenated, 
 and look as if the ravages of time for at least the last 
 decade of years, had been obliterated. I can hardly believe 
 your late asseveration, that all thoughts of matrimonial 
 felicity have been banished from your mind, and think 
 that some entrancing enchantress has fascinated you, till 
 the return of youthful feehngs has been accompanied by 
 the resemblance of manhood's prime. You vrould be set 
 down by shrewd observers as stOl being on the sunny side 
 of forty, and I only know one feehng that can work such 
 a metamorphosis. 
 
 Peecept(5e. — ^Your surmises are quite wide of the mark, 
 though there are sufficient reasons why the two weeks' 
 absence from the " sea-girt shore " has been attended with 
 such beneficial results, and I can assui'e you that my looks 
 do not behe my feehngs. I feel like a four-year-old race 
 horse, and walk as if fifty pounds of useless flesh had 
 been removed, almost enabling me to rival the old light- 
 ness of step when tag and base ball were so keenly 
 rehshed. 
 
 When I left herej I took the boat to Piermont, and 
 thence the New York and Erie cars to the pleasant vil- 
 lage which my old friend "Rex," of Knickerbocker fame 
 
 9 
 
190 HOESE PORTKAITUEE. 
 
 has enlivened witli his presence for so many years. The 
 scenery along the line I will not try to describe, as you 
 are familiar with it, and wUl agree with me that the jour- 
 ney is well worth taking, if for no other reason than to 
 enjoy its beauties. I was conveyed by a fi'iend the ten 
 miles that intervened between the village and the place 
 of my final destination. This was the first time I had 
 seen the spot at this enchanting season of the year ; and, 
 much as I had admired its beauties in midsummer, and 
 the grandeur of the winter display, I was totally unpre- 
 pared foi- the marvelous splendor that now greeted my 
 eye. Your Mississippi bluffs, rolling river, floating islands 
 of verdure, towering oaks, and fragrant crab-apples, may 
 show on a larger scale, and your seat that overlooks the 
 plateau of thousands of acres of billowy grass and prairie 
 flowers may be very fine ; but for quiet beauty and har- 
 mony of detail, there is no place that will equal it on the 
 Father of Waters from the Gulf of Mexico to the Lake of 
 Itasca. Imagine a little lake — so small, indeed, that its 
 length hardly rivals the width of your majestic stream — 
 nestling among emerald hills. The hill in the background 
 is covered with a dense growth of hemlock, the dark green 
 of which is relieved by the bright hue of the deciduous 
 trees, now in their most brilliant garments, while tall 
 pines shoot their spires from the summit away up in the 
 blue firmament. The hill to the right is carpeted as 
 thickly with grass as the famed pastures you have de- 
 scribed; groups of scattered trees breaking the uniformity, 
 with large dark-colored rocks beetling from the side in 
 bold relief. Large flocks of sheep are grazing on the sides 
 of the hill, the lambs playing and gamboling as if every 
 minute of their existence were too precious to be lost. To 
 the left, the hills slope gradually, forming a little valley 
 through which the outlet runs. Away in the distance, as 
 far as the eye can distinguish, the hiUs swell into magni- 
 
A COUNTRY VILLA. 191 
 
 fcude enough to be called mountains, and it is difficult to 
 f,ell where land and sky meets. 
 
 Not a breath of air ruffled this fairy sheet the morning 
 of my arrival ; and hills, woods, and sky were reflected 
 from it, as faithfully as the most polished mirror gives 
 back the form that stands before it. The few fleecy, snow- 
 white clouds that himg motionless away in the zenith 
 looked just as distant in the depths of the water, and 
 almost gave you the sensation of being above the clouds, 
 looking down on terrestrial scenery. 
 
 The beach is white sand, almost rivahng the snow in 
 fau'ness ; its contour on the wooded side is a sweeping 
 curve, while that towards you is broken into bays and in- 
 lets. All the way round the lake, the underwood is of 
 dense growth, and both the broad-leaved and common 
 lautel extend quite to the water's edge. I cannot picture 
 the bloom, though I doubt if the Vale of Cashmere ever 
 equaled the briUiant display. Large crimson masses of 
 flowers in gorgeous profusion, alternated with as abun- 
 dant blossoms of snowy white, so heavy that they fairly 
 laden the twigs, and rest on the silver water. At the foot 
 of the hill, where the cattle and sheep are grazing, — or 
 -rather on a slight eminence this side, — is an irregularly 
 constructed ItaUan villa. The irregularity of the structure 
 makes it more in harmony with the scene. The western 
 wing is surmotmted with a dome and cupola. To the 
 east, the building is not so high, and about the centre is 
 a large conservatory, the glare of the glass mellowed by 
 the cHmbing plants inside. On the very eastern extremity 
 rise two square turrets, between which is a colossal statue 
 of an antlered buck, the attitude being that of watch- 
 ful rest. Along the south wall of the building is a sort 
 of battlement, forming supports for marble statues, repre- 
 senting nearly all the gods of Heathen Mj^hology. They 
 were sculptured in Italy, having been captui'ed by a pri- 
 
192 HORSE POKTEAITURE. 
 
 vateer when on their way to adorn the park of some Eng- 
 lish nobleman, and are of rare workmanship. The lawn 
 in front of the building extends to the coppice that makes 
 such an aj)propriate setting to the pellucid water. A car- 
 riage-road is cut in a sinuous form through the tui-f of 
 the lawn, and vases and statues are interspersed beneath 
 the trees. The road leads to a summer-house on the 
 bank of the lake ; the house is ornamented with rejoresen- 
 tations of fish and fruit beautifully carved. Towards the 
 lake there is a ballustrade, several steps leading from it 
 to the water ; tiny boats are moored there, the white sails 
 hanging listlessly against the masts. A walk leads fi'om 
 this summer-house adown the bank, the laturel meeting 
 overhead, and forming an arch of wondrous beauty. Look- 
 ing up, there is nothing to be seen but a canopy of bril- 
 liant colored flowers, intermingled with polished dark- 
 green leaves. The walk leads to the point of land that 
 forms the bay on the eastern shore, which sweeps round 
 in a sharp curve to the left. At this point is another 
 ornamental summer-house, but on a different plan from 
 the larger. The lower part of it is hidden from the house 
 by a group of pines, though when you ascend the stairs to 
 the upper story you are more entranced than ever with 
 the different views seen from that point. Every inch of 
 the lake is under your eye, and through openings in the 
 trees detached pictures — any of which, if truthfully depic- 
 ted, would make a reputation for an artist — are visible. 
 The house is only partially in view, the portion seen being 
 that which makes the most beautiful background to the 
 eylvan picture. The section of the lawn seen through this 
 vista is perfect in its details, — trees, shrubs, flowers, vases 
 and statuary, aU being in the very best places for efiiect. 
 You turn to another opening in the iiines, and the tur- 
 rets, dome, and images on the house stand in bold relief 
 against the western sky. To show the master's hand that 
 
SILVER LAKE. 193 
 
 planned all this, a circular group of Lombardy poplars 
 lose their stiffness and come in for their share of admi- 
 ration, which I could never award them in any other 
 situation. In the rear of the villa, and between it and 
 the pubHc road, farm buildings and offices give the 
 place still more the look of repose, beauty, and fitness, 
 that so eminently belongs to it. But if I try to describe 
 all the beauties of this cherished spot, you will still think 
 I have seen some apj)arition that has made me romanti- 
 cally crazy. So I will not say a word more till we take oui- 
 accustomed smoke on the piazza after dinner, when I will 
 give you an insight into the pursuits that have obliterated 
 the marks of years, and left my feelings so youthful. So 
 have the Falcon harnessed, — he must have had his morn- 
 ing's walk by this time, — and I am very anxious to see how 
 he will deport himseK. 
 
 Pupiii. — The boys have had him harnessed for some 
 time. The wagon has been run out from the shed, await- 
 ing your orders. I shall anxiously look for the continu- 
 ation of the history of your trip, as I am still more certain 
 that I have divined the right cause. Either this is the 
 case, or you have viewed no mortal scene, but have been 
 transported to that land where the famous Christian 
 Knight was held in thrall by a garland of flowers. In the 
 
 place of the Erie Railroad, and the wagon from B , did 
 
 you not encounter an old man with silver hair reaching 
 to his girdle, who took you in a boat, fashioned like a sea- 
 shell, which drove with you on " without a wave or wind ?" 
 Or, did you meet with a damsel — 
 
 " With long, rich tresses curling 'round her brow, 
 And garments beauteous as the bird of Ind, — 
 She through the ocean swifter than the wind. 
 Or wing of eagles, did direct your track." 
 
 Preceptor. — This silver lake and scenery, far beyond 
 my powers of description, actually exists, and is no more 
 
194 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 of a myth than your Iowa farm. We will have no more 
 talk on the subject, however, till the time appointed. How 
 gently Falcon consents to be harnessed and hitched to 
 the wagon ! From his extreme nervousness I supposed 
 he would not be so docile at first. 
 
 Pupil. — Six months have elapsed since the harness was 
 on him ; and to give you further proof of his natural do- 
 cility, I will be much gratified if you will get into the 
 wagon and give him his first drive. 
 
 Preceptor. — To that I have no objections, though I 
 shall insist on your being the reinsman in future, unless 
 I want to know fi-om actual trial how a horse handles. 
 Whoa ! my boy, a httle more to the right. These skeletons 
 are not the handiest things in the world to get in. Now, 
 sii', you can go along at your leisiu-e. 
 
 Pupiii. — I need not ask how you like him, as I see satis- 
 faction in every hne of your countenance, — ^though that 
 may be attributed to the recollections of your late visit. 
 
 Preceptor. — Like is hardly a strong enough expression 
 to convey an idea of the pleasure there is in driving such 
 a horse as this. He has the form of my model roadster, 
 as well as every other quality that could be shown in so 
 short a drive, though I have done one thing I should have 
 scolded you for doing. Jogging down the road for a few 
 miles about a six-minute gait, from which he never varied, 
 going along as true as a first-class piece of machinery, I 
 came to a place that was as smooth as a well-kept track. 
 I could not resist the temptation to see if his motion was 
 equally precise when going faster. I never saw so true 
 a mover ; he appeared only to be gliding along ; and had 
 it not been for the buzz of the wheels through the air, I 
 should have greatly underrated the speed we were going. 
 He missed not a step, and was as obedient to the sHghtest 
 touch of the reins as the best family horse that could be 
 found. I will venture what Httle rex^utation I have, on 
 
FALCON OK THE ROAD. 195 
 
 inf\img a Number One trotter of him. There is nothing to 
 dire^*-t about his management at present. You can gauge 
 him to any gait you wish, and the next two weeks we will 
 give him ten or twelve miles a day, at the rate of about a 
 mUe in five minutes ; towards the last of that time, mov- 
 ing him somewhat faster. 
 
 Pupil. — Wlien he is driven on the track, I am afraid he 
 will change your opinion, giving further proof of the effect 
 of bad management in the first part of a horse's education. 
 The road, to him, has been a pleasant interlude to the tor- 
 tures of the course, and all his remembrances connected 
 with it are of a pleasant character. There he has been 
 treated with uniform kindness, and when he has been 
 allowed to extend himself in a little burst of speed, it has 
 beer, done without pulling at him ; or, if he happened to 
 leave his feet, there was no jerking or sawing, allowing 
 him to recover as suited his own humor. Of the track, his 
 recollections are not so pleasant ; puUing, snatching, and 
 fighting are his most vivid reminiscences of that period. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — For that very reason we will confine him 
 to working on the track, and will only vary it with road 
 work when the course is too muddy to use. I know he 
 will jog there as kindly as on the road; and by letting him 
 time the short brushes to suit his own notions, we will get 
 him to reconsider the verdict that pronounces the track a 
 place especially invented for the torture of horses. I now 
 want to see Never Mind in the shafts; and in order to give 
 him as fair a chance to make a true impression as the 
 Falcon, will also drive him. 
 
 Pupil. — He also has not been harnessed in several 
 months; and before you get behind him, I want to observe 
 that he never has been much used on the road. I tell 
 you this, so that you will not be prejudiced against him. 
 He is not a good road horse, and goes stumbling along at 
 a road gait that is very provoking. When on the track 
 
196 HORSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 at full speed, he makes a fine appearance, carrying his 
 head high, and going in grand style every way. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — I perceive you are afraid I will get a poor 
 opinion of the horse, with his queer name. You promised 
 me the reason for thus calhng him, and I have had it on 
 the tip of my tongue to ask you to gratify my ciu'iosity. 
 You need not fear, however, that I will condemn him 
 without a fair trial. I do not look for first-class trotters 
 to be necessarily of the same excellence on the road. 
 Many of the best are not pleasant to drive there, — most 
 of them for want of practice, and others from being badly 
 driven. 
 
 Pupil. — When you finish your description of your recent 
 trij), I will recount why this fellow was called Never Mind. 
 Before he is hitched to the wagon, I must acquaint you with 
 anotlier bad trick he has, though luckily he has not had 
 frequent oj^portunity to practice it. When harnessed, if 
 not allowed to start right off, he will rush back at a tre- 
 mendous gait, and it is astonishing how fast he can per- 
 form this crawfish movement. If the wagon or sulky hits 
 anything, he is sure to break it or the harness. When I 
 had him at home, the inside of the track was planted in 
 com. At the time I speak of, it was just high enough to 
 commence tasseling, — say six or seven feet. In making his 
 retrograde rush, he backed the sulky into the corn. The 
 slight resistance led him to think he could break it, and 
 back he threw his whole weight in the breeching. Hear- 
 ing nothing but the crushing of the com, and not the 
 crash he expected, he kept backing at a "right lively gait" 
 and never stopped till the entire field was traversed, nearly 
 three hrmdred yards. As the sullfy struck the back-stretch- 
 and there was no longer any resistance fi-om the standing 
 corn, he was fairly nonplussed; and stopping a moment, as 
 if cogitating on the probable reason why the sulky was 
 not broken, he swung round, and jogged o£f as if nothing 
 
THE MAEE THAT WOULD NOT STAND. 197 
 
 unusual had taken place. We had no more trouble with 
 him the rest of the season. I do not think he will make 
 the attempt now, as by never jDunishing him, or trying to 
 force him forward, always hitching him where he could 
 have leeway, and trying to attract his attention till every- 
 thing is ready for him to go, he has nearly forgotten it. 
 In connection with this, and brought to my remembrance 
 by recounting Never Mind's memorable backing-out 
 scrape, I will relate a circumstance something analogous. 
 A neighbor of mine had a bay mare that would match 
 one of mine. Both were good steppers, and I finally suc- 
 ceeded in trading for her. On the completion of the deal, 
 he told me that the mare had only one failing, which was, 
 that she would not stand when a person was getting into 
 the wagon. I told him that was annoying, but I had 
 cured several of the same habit. The next day I harnessed 
 her to a road sulky, and drove eight miles and back. The 
 trip was made satisfactorily. The day following, a friend 
 was to accompany me a few miles to see a quarter race. 
 We put the mare to a top wagon by the side of a steady 
 old trotter ; I threw the top back, the mare standing very 
 quietly, though as soon as I took up the reins, she wanted 
 to start. I said whoa, very gently, and accompanied the 
 command with a slight pull. Down she dropped, as 
 though she had been struck on the head with an axe, 
 lying quietly, and apparently comfortably to herself. I 
 could not help laughing, provoking as the situation was. 
 My fi'iend did not see the reason for being amused, telling 
 me he would give her a good thrashing in j)lace of laugh- 
 ing at her. I told him I was not laughing at the mare, 
 but at my own ignorance. The man I got her of told me 
 literally what she would do, and I had not sense enough 
 to rmderstand him. I supposed she would rear and fi"et 
 when restrained from starting ; it never coming into my 
 head that she would di-op down, and lie perfectly quiet. 
 
 9* 
 
198 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 We unliitched lier from the wagon ; and from the sullen 
 way she laid, it was apparent she expected a beating, and 
 was going to endure it like a stoic. She never ofiered to 
 rise while we were divesting her of the harness, and I made 
 up my mind what to do before the last strap was unbuck- 
 led. Old Quaker, her companion, looked on surprised. 
 We had broken many a colt by his side, yet this was some- 
 thing new to him, as his looks plainly showed. We 
 strapped both the mare's fore legs up, fastening the pas- 
 tern to the arm, brought both hind legs up against her 
 belly, securing them there so they could not be moved in 
 the least, put a strong bridle on, the bit having long check 
 piecej?, drawing her head up and on one side, where that 
 was also fastened. A bundle of straw was put under her 
 head so that it would be supported without puUing on the 
 rein. When all was completed she could not move an 
 inch, though she never made the attempt. We put an- 
 other horse in by the side of Quaker, leaving strict orders 
 for no one to go near her, and went on our way to the 
 quarter race. Four hours elapsed before we returned. 
 The straps were removed, and she was bid to arise. She 
 did not need a second invitation, looking very foolish 
 when she regained her legs. This was the most cruel 
 operation I ever subjected a horse to ; but in her case it 
 was effectual. I kept her some time, and she never 
 showed any desire to repeat the trick. She afterwards 
 went to New Orleans trotting in forty, acquiring a good 
 deal of celebrity as a safe and reliable road mare. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — That was rather severe, yet not so bad as 
 beating her as severely as some would have done. I 
 should have misunderstood her case, too, and would have 
 been bothered to know how to cui-e a trick of that de- 
 scription. Horses frequently throw themselves; tliis mare, 
 as I understand the case, was not so violent, and the stoH- 
 dity she displayed showed a stubbornness that would have 
 
NEVERMIND AND JANE. 199 
 
 been hard to conquer iu any other way. The account you 
 give of Never Mind's propensity is not very flattering to 
 his breaker, and I hope we will not be compelled to devise 
 any other treatment than that you have pursued. The 
 boys had better not put up his check till after I get in the 
 wagon. Don't hold his head to awaken his suspicion that 
 we are expecting him to do something wrong. Now I am 
 ready. That start is certainly quiet enough. 
 
 Pupil. — ^Your drive this time has been of longer dura- 
 tion. I presume you have gone over the same ground au 
 you did with the Falcon. 
 
 Preceptor. — I made the same trip, but jogged slower, 
 and did not require him to show anything faster than a 
 very moderate gait. He jogs like a fox trotting, and for 
 anything I have seen is worthy of more commendation 
 than I was led to infer from your remarks. When I 
 turned him around, he was in something of a hurry to get 
 back, yet was very bidable, and seemed to enjoy the drive. 
 He will be the first one we will scrape, being fatter, and 
 requiring longer time to rid him of his superfluities. Jane, 
 w-e will not drive till to-morrow. I promised to rig her so 
 she could be jogged without requiring any very great out- 
 lay of strength to restrain her. The plan we wiU adopt 
 will be to keep her walking till she is harnessed, starting 
 her the reverse way of the track, using a chain bit ; and 
 whenever she goes faster than wanted, bring her to a full 
 stop. It will require some patience for her to learn to go 
 slow, though it is of the first importance she should be 
 taught. After a couple of months' steady work I have no 
 doubt she will be all we can ask for in that respect. The 
 colts we will work in the track, so that I can watch their 
 action. Chpper, I am glad to see, has improved wonder- 
 fully. He looks as though he had also made a trip into 
 the country. King, too, has "come out of the ashes," 
 and is not only looking better, having nearly got rid of 
 
200 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 bis long coat, but bis prominent eye bas a calmer look. I 
 bave missed seeing tbe mode of operation tbat bas tbus 
 transformed bim, and will bave to be contented to bear 
 bow so mucb bas been accomplisbed. 
 
 Pupil. — I bave worked witb bim every spare moment 
 since yon bave been gone, and now tbink tbere will be no 
 further trouble in eitber bandling or driving bim. It bas 
 resulted, as I expected, in one way. He will now grow and 
 tbi'ive, and I venture to say bis most intimate acquaintance 
 will fail to know bim tbree montbs from now. Tbe jour- 
 ney down partially tamed bim, so tbat be would stand 
 wbile a surcingle was laid across bis back. After due cau- 
 tion, I got a roller buckled on bim tbat bad a billet and 
 buckle to fasten tbe cbeck-rein to. A blind bridle, witb 
 a long pair of driving reins, just as I bave described in 
 breaking tbe colts on tbe breeding-farm, was used. Wben 
 first brougbt, out be did not like tbe idea, of taking tbe 
 precedence, but wanted to be wbere be could watcb every 
 one tbat was around bim ; so anotber rein was put on, one 
 of tbe boys going before to lead bim, wbile I took tbe 
 reins and let bim feel a very sligbt pressure on tbe bit. 
 Tbe blinds preventing bim seeing in tbe rear, be soon 
 learned to beed tbe suggestions of tbe bit, and would go 
 wberever directed. I Avill venture to say I bave walked 
 miles enougb bebind bim in tbe last two weeks to carry me 
 to tbe spot wbere tbe Erie road and spring wagon took 
 you so mucb more easily. In a few days we were able to 
 partially clean bim, tbe good effects of wbicb are so plainly 
 visible. As be will now suffer bimself to be beld by tbe 
 bit, wear tbe wbole barness, and allow tbe crupper to be 
 put on, I sball bave no hesitation in placing bim in tbe 
 sbafts of tbe breaking-sulky, taking every precaution, of 
 coui"se, tbat we can to prevent injury to bimself or tbe ve- 
 hicle. Tbe other colts I bave driven regularly, eitber on 
 the road or track, and as the weather has continued so 
 
BENEFITS OF GEAZIJN^G. 201 
 
 fine, have worked them more on the track than you re- 
 commended, it being more convenient and occupying less 
 time than when going on the road. None of them have 
 given me any trouble, all eating and drinking heartily. I 
 increased their feed a little, and have also added an ear 
 of corn to their evening meal. CHpper has had a run 
 every day to get quite a bite of grass, and the others have 
 been allowed to graze a little twice a week. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — A very good idea, which I hke better than 
 giving so many bran mashes. Both keep the bowels 
 open ; the bran irritating the mucous membrane of the 
 stomach, causing a greater flow of the gastric juices, while 
 the grass effects the same object in a milder manner. 
 English trainers lay gTcat stress on keeping their horses 
 full of "good hard meat," which probably in their chmate 
 is essential to bring them into proper condition. That 
 they understand the art is undeniable, as the appearance 
 and performances of their horses prove. Our hotter and 
 drier chmate requii'es changes. Nearly aU of oiu- trainers 
 practice giving at intervals small quantities of succulent 
 food ; grass and green corn blades being in general use. 
 Van Leer, who trained Peytona, Liatunah, Saartain, &c., 
 practiced taking his horses out of the stable at unseason- 
 able hours — often in the night — to graze. He was suc- 
 cessful, the benefit of the grass being greater than the ills 
 resulting fi'ora breaking in on their rest. The question 
 of green food, mashes, etc., we wiU talk about when we 
 have more time. The morning is wearing away. Get 
 your colts out, and let me see them move. 
 
 Pupil. — We will commence vath the oldest, — the same as 
 in my younger days, when the sulphur and treacle were 
 dosed out in the spring, and all the children, comprising 
 a large family, were placed in a row, none escaping their 
 share of the compound. I will jog May twice around, and 
 let her step up and down the stretch at her best gait. I 
 
202 HOKSE POKTKAITUEE. 
 
 want you to see her move both ways of the track, and how 
 she changes her feet when she gets round the curve, and 
 has straight worli before her. 
 
 Pbeceptor. — She has a singular movement indeed. Part 
 of the time her gait could not be bettered, which is espe- 
 cially the case when she trots fast down the stretch. She 
 has more speed than I looked for, and showed at least a 
 thirty-five gait. We must discover the cause why she 
 does not keep that stroke up, and when once found, can 
 devise some remedy. She has not cut herself anywhere, 
 and we cannot have that guide to direct us, though, in all 
 probabihty, fear oi doing so is what induces her to change. 
 If all your thoroughbreds had such knee-action as she 
 has, you might well look for them to make trotters. 
 Perfection of form in a horse is rarely to be found ; and 
 we often hear the remark made, " I do not care how he 
 looks, if he can only go fast enough." A few crooked, 
 ill-shaped brutes go fast, though very seldom it is that 
 they both can go and stay. This mare exemphfies the 
 necessity there is for shape as well as blood. Her fore- 
 hand is superb : nor do I see a place you coiild change her 
 configuration, till you come back to her loin. Hence, the 
 action of her fore legs and the carriage of her head, is 
 admirable. The ragged hip and sloping quarters, though 
 offensive to the eye, are not detrimental to speed. She is 
 wide across the stifles, and they are low enough to insure 
 a free motion of the joint. The hock is wide and strong, 
 and the muscles of the thigh and gaskin are all that could 
 be desired. The hocks, however, have a wrong set ; they 
 stand too close together, while the feet are thrown quite 
 a distance apart, the toes very much turned out. The 
 consequence is, that, when going around a turn, she cannot 
 avoid hitting herself with the fore foot. To remedy this, 
 she throws her quarters around, placing the off hind foot 
 between the front ones, and loses the length of stride she 
 
mat's action with her feet. 203 
 
 has when going straight. We will try what a change of 
 shoes will do for her, having those for her hind feet con- 
 siderably heavier than the ones she now wears, hoping the 
 higher action they will cause, will in her case result bene- 
 ficially. When these are put on, we will have to watch 
 her action very carefully ; and if that does not effect a 
 cure, boots will have to be resorted to. As I have already 
 told you, I do not like to use boots when they can be got 
 along without ; they cramp a horse when going fast, and 
 much care is required in their construction to prevent 
 them chafing the skin. Unfortunate^, there are cases 
 when they cannot be dispensed with,* and many that re- 
 quire a great deal of ingenuity to fit them properly to the 
 place intended to be covered. Cutting between the coronet 
 and upper pastern joint is very bad ; that place being so 
 difficult to protect with a boot, the motion of the joint, 
 united to the tenderness of the sldn, causing abrasion al- 
 most sure to follow. I think a very hght buck-skin roller, 
 made large, and stuffed with deer-hair, will also be of ad- 
 vantage. The wound — when she cuts on the place you 
 mentioned — is probably made with the inner edge of the 
 shoe on the near fore foot; and as an additional protection, 
 we will have that part of the shoe rounded, and set a little 
 inside the crust. You tell me she never cuts when driven 
 on the road; and I noticed, when coming towards me, that 
 her motion was regular. She necessarily must do the 
 damage, then, when going round the turn ; and by using 
 the heavier shoe she may be enabled to go clear. Ask any 
 horseman how a horse moves his legs in the trot, and the 
 ready answer will be, that the left fore foot and right hind 
 one move simultaneously, and when they strike the ground 
 the others are elevated, carrying the body along. This is 
 very true when the pace is slow ; when it becomes fast, 
 and a horse is stretching from sixteen to twenty feet, there 
 must be a bound similar to the running horse, as no horse 
 
204 HOESK PORTEAITTJEE. 
 
 can possibly have tliat immense stride otherwise. It is 
 apparent, then, that all the feet must be off the ground at 
 the same time. I have often watched to see if I could 
 determine whether the feet passed each other when off or 
 on the ground. I am inclined to think the latter position 
 is correct, though I cannot say positively. In a gallop, 
 each foot strikes the ground in rotation, followed by a 
 bound. The sound a running horse makes can be imita- 
 ted very accui'ately by placing the hand on a table, strilfing 
 first with the httle finger, and at equal intervals ^ith the 
 others, dwelling a httle after the fore finger has been 
 brought down, which answers to the spring that marks 
 the duration of each stride. The hind legs, in galloping, 
 must be thrown forward when the body is in the aii", 
 touching the ground very nearly as soon as the fore ones, 
 and, at the moment of contact, being in a j)roper position 
 to propel the animal along. Horses sometimes, when mn- 
 ning, cut themselves on the inside of the hock, frequently 
 between that and the pastern. This is termed speedy cut, 
 as it is evident that a horse must be making violent efforts 
 when the hind legs are tlu'own so much in advance of the 
 front feet. Should May cut, as I suppose she does, thiaist- 
 ing the hind foot between the fore feet and partially imder 
 the near one, it will show that the legs are not moved at 
 the same instant ; and if we make the stroke of the pro- 
 pelling hmo from a higher cuiwe, she will either avoid 
 having it wounded, or the injury will be in a different 
 ' place, where I hope it will be easier protected. 
 
 Pupil. — I think youi' siu'mises are correct as to the 
 cause of the injury. WTien experimenting with the dif- 
 ferent kinds of boots which I have tried on her, I daubed 
 her pastern with white paint, thinking it would show the 
 place that gave the blow by adhering to it. The paint, I 
 found, would be rubbed oft' without staining any place I 
 could discover, which of course, would be the case if \i 
 
MAY ON THE ROAD. 205 
 
 was done with the ground surface of the shoe. I have 
 blamed the short turns of a half-mile track — where she 
 has received what little trotting-edueation she has had — 
 for doing the mischief. The faulty set of the hocks may 
 have increased the evil, yet it is certain, that, when diiven 
 fast on the road, she never sidles or brushes a haii-. I feel 
 positive that if this difficulty can be overcome, she will 
 make a very fast trotter. 
 
 Preceptor. — We must not ascribe all to the track. Fast 
 horses, and those with perfect action, have been in the 
 same situation, never having seen anything but a half- 
 mile course, where they received their whole train- 
 ing. The two united have operated badly in May's case, 
 and let us hope, that, having now a full mile, with easy 
 tiu'ns, we can shape her into the fast trotter you fancy her 
 capable of making. 
 
 Pupil. — I will now drive Delle, and will have to jog her 
 rather longer than May before I can show you her true 
 manner of going. \Vhen I purchased her, at three years 
 old, the man who bred her had irritated her so much, 
 that it was quite unsafe to attempt harnessing her in the 
 stable. When she saw any one approaching her with the 
 harness, she would rear as high as the halter rein would 
 permit, flying about the stall perfectly fi'antic. By taking 
 her out doors, she permitted the harness to be put on with 
 very little trepidation, and in two weeks the uniform 
 kindness she met with eradicated the nervousness acquired 
 from the attempted coercion by her owner. I now direct 
 the boys to harness her some Httle time before she is i^e- 
 quired to come out, and I think the wearing of the har- 
 ness in the stall has had some effect in tranquihzing her. 
 
 Preceptor. — She moves beautifully, and has a great 
 deal of speed for a colt that has not had much handling. 
 I can discover no peculiarity in her gait that requires 
 modification. She will make a trotter almost of her own 
 
206 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 accord, the only thing being to keep her in bounds, and 
 teach her not to rush off her feet in endeavoring to go 
 faster than she can. She does not touch anywhere, prov- 
 ing that a horse can be driven on a short turn without 
 necessarily spoiling him, — though I heartily agree with you 
 that a half-mile track ought never to be built, especially 
 where we expect to teach colts to trot. The morning is 
 now too far advanced to see Oriole and Mavourneen 
 move. We will wend our way dinner-ward, and after 
 partaking of this important meal, I will recount how I 
 spent my time while in the country. 
 
 Pupil. — I have fancied that Delle went too low, and 
 thought that perhaps heavier shoes than she has been ac- 
 customed to wear might be of benefit. When there is dust 
 on the track, she will leave the mark of her hind toe foi 
 quite a distance after she picks the foot up. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — I noticed she did that, though not when at 
 full speed. The ease and grace of movement she displays, 
 suits me exactly ; she would almost carry a tumbler of 
 water on her loins without spilhng it. She is so symme- 
 trically formed, that her body is carried along level, with- 
 out any perceptible motion. The legs and feet do all the 
 work. Count D'Orsay said that a gentleman should never 
 dance higher than his loins ; and a horse that either gal- 
 lops or trots without bodily contortion, certainly does the 
 work easier, and ought to go faster. 
 
CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 JOTJRNET TO THE COUNTRY — MR. P. AND HIS DAUGHTERS. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — As I look back at tlie time spent in the 
 country, so devoid of excitement, I can hardly hope to 
 mterest you by detailing the incidents of my trip. Simple 
 pleasui'es and pastimes become dull when rehearsed ; and 
 I rather fancy you will be disappointed in the recital, 
 wondering at the simphcity of my taste, that could find 
 so much to enjoy in a quiet daily routine. But the repose 
 attending a short residence in the country is dehcious 
 to one who has been accustomed to a life of excitement. 
 Long continued, its enervating influence might induce 
 ennui, — a fearful infliction, so I should judge by the de- 
 scription of those who have suffered from it. Thank Pro- 
 vidence, my hfe has been too active ever to become ac- 
 quainted with the countenance of this dreaded demon. 
 But this feeling of repose can only be appreciated by 
 those who have lived long enough to fully understand 
 the art of Hving. To throw your fishing-rod aside, and lie 
 down on the mossy bank of the woodlawn stream, and 
 there, while peering through the openings in the thick 
 foliage, and watching the Hght clouds high up in the blue 
 firmament, the liquid murmur of the water and the sough 
 of the gentle breeze in the branches will lull without tir- 
 ing, for they are not a monotone, but varied as the breath- 
 ings of the seolian harp, and more silvery in their tones. 
 
208 HORSE PORTRAITURE, 
 
 To one whose frame has been racked with pain, the nerves 
 vibrating with a metallic harshness, until the opiate so 
 magically changes the feelings, and the bed of sufiering is 
 turned to the couch of the sybarite, without a crumpled 
 rose-leaf to mar its luxuriousness, — to such a one I could 
 offer a metaphor or two that would portray my feelings. 
 It is as when the child sinks on its mother's breast to 
 slumber, smiling at the rustling of the angel's wing that 
 is to watch it through life, and is whispering bright words 
 describing the beauties of their joint home in Paradise ; 
 or as, when the strong swimmer, vainly wresthng in his 
 agony, till the limit of human endurance is reached, sinks 
 under the gui'gling wave, down, down, without pain, the 
 music of the sirens in his ears, and he floats in choral 
 depths fully realizing that he is at last at rest ; or as, when 
 the good Christian throws off the armor in which he has 
 battled, and sees the golden gates open, and the glory 
 that surrounds the awful throne making his final pathway 
 bright, thronged with the loved and lost that have j)re- 
 ceded him o'er the " silent river," and the ties that bound 
 nim to this beautiful world become as the glossy filaments 
 that sparkle on the dewy meadow in the morning sun- 
 beams. 
 
 The fi'iend to whom I am indebted for the pleasure of 
 my visits — which are made semi-annually — hves in a neat 
 cottage, surmounting a gentle eminence at the foot of the 
 lake which I have so poorly described. I first made his 
 acquaintance in the forests of Northern Maine, where we 
 became associated in a hunting expedition. Many a moose 
 and caribou fell at the report of his rifle, and I never met 
 any one who was so passionately attached to the sports of 
 the field. Small and fragile in form, it was astonishing 
 how nerve and spirit supplied the place of bone and 
 muscle, as he was the hardiest and most untiring of any 
 one in the camp. Day after day, he would don the snow- 
 
THE COUJSTTEY HOST. 209- 
 
 shoe and heavy double-barreled rifle, and when the ardor 
 of all the rest of the party was dampened by a day of ex ■ 
 treme fatigue, his never flagged. No matter how thict 
 the air was laden with the trembling snowflakes, or how 
 icily the northern blast rushed over the barrens, out he 
 would go, never returning to camp till the shadows were 
 lost in the murky darkness. As I have instanced before, 
 he possessed that unseen power which enables the 
 thoroughbred to race on when the vision has become dim, 
 and the physical machine is kept in motion by the force 
 of the mind that knows not failure. He is the scion of 
 one of those ai-istocratic Philadelphia famiUes, who, though 
 warm in their adherence to Washington and the country 
 during the struggle for independence, yet kept up the 
 exclusiveness of the nobility they assisted to ostracise. 
 With the manners of the class from which he sprang, he 
 unites a warmth of heart and disposition that prompts 
 him to fraternize with whoever he thinks worthy, no mat- 
 ter how lowly he ranks in the social scale. This grand 
 quality, united to the wondrous nerve power I have men- 
 tioned, endeared him to me so much that I seduously cul- 
 tivated his acquaintance. I am happy to state that he 
 reciprocated the strong friendship, and ever since — for 
 many years — I have been a visitor at his house. In the 
 winter we hunt deer, foxes and rabbits, the baying hound 
 fining the crisp air with music as we stand on the run- 
 ways ; and in the summer, going far into the " pathless 
 woods " of that section, enticing the speckled beauties of 
 the brook, and breathing the pure night air on the hem- 
 lock boughs, — a couch you are so well acquainted with, and 
 join with me in extolling. During the winter, we alternate 
 our hunting in the vicinity of the lake — which is famous 
 for being the resort of game — to ground more distant. 
 Thus I have become acquainted with other famihes who 
 hold the highest place in my affections. Winter, which 
 
210 HORSE POETRAITURE. 
 
 SO many dread the approach of, to me is as enjoyable as 
 the more balmy months of summer ; and the many haj)py 
 days and nights I have spent in the most dehghtful social 
 intercourse with these friends, mark it as a time that will 
 always be green in the tablets of memory, the remem- 
 brance being a "joy foreyer." 
 
 During this last visit, my friend's business was so urgent 
 that I could not assent to his absenting himself from im- 
 poi-tant duties to lounge the time away with me ; so, when 
 tired of fishing in the Silver Lake, I would mount a horse, 
 and ride six or seven miles to the house of a gentleman, — 
 one of my especial favorites. He is nearly seventy years 
 old, yet with feehngs as youthful as many possess when 
 half a century younger. His personal appearance is my 
 beau-ideal of matiu-ed, manly beauty. Age has taken 
 away none of the lines that marked him for a model in 
 his younger days, while it has added the glory of silver 
 hair and beard. But I may as well describe him minutely, 
 as I see you are somewhat anxious to know whether my 
 eye is as correct in the knowledge of human perfection, 
 as you admit it was in finding the Falcon the type of 
 whatever is super-excellent in the horse. This old gentle- 
 man is by birth English, and his appearance denotes his 
 nationality. His height is a trifle over five feet ten, — the 
 proper elevation for a man, as sixteen hands is for the 
 horse that carries him. His shoulders are broad, conveying 
 the idea of strength, without being disjoroportioned to the 
 rest of his body. His limbs are long and muscular, term- 
 inating in medium-sized feet and hands. There is a little 
 tendency to embonpoint, just giving the waistcoat the right 
 set without any approach to corpulency. You imagine, if 
 taken away from country life and made a bank president 
 or railway director, he would be at least a score of pounds 
 heavier, and your surmises are probably correct. You 
 can see that daily exercise in the open air gives that 
 
THE OLD COUJS^TRY GENTLEMAN. 211 
 
 ruddy glow to the cheek betokening buo} ant health. The 
 white beard falls in wavy masses on the full chest; a 
 sparkling diamond, in antique silver setting, glows on the 
 ruffled shirt, and shines like a bright star through a broken 
 cloud in a moonlit sky. The moustache is as silken as a 
 boy's, and curves away from lips that are apart enough to 
 show natural, well formed teeth. The nose is sHghtly 
 aquiline, and shows determination without so much bend 
 as to appear haughty. The eyes are a deep blue, — earnest 
 looking eyes, — exemphfying the strong soul which you 
 can see shadowed in them. The brow is broad and pro- 
 minent. The hair the same shining hue as the beard, but 
 clinging in close curls to the round, well-formed head. 
 The crown is bald, making the closely curled locks look 
 like an ivy garland. He dresses with consummate taste, 
 and he has the rare faculty of looking well-dressed, even if 
 corduroys and a fustian shooting-jacket envelop his manly 
 frame. It is supererogatory to say that he excelled in all 
 manly sports when younger, and still rides across the 
 country, disdaining to turn for a stake-and-ridered fence, 
 and would nearly as soon be caught in a mean act as to 
 shoot a partridge or pheasant when not on the wing. He 
 is a graduate of one of England's most celebrated colleges, 
 well versed in modern hterature, plays cribbage and whist 
 scientifically, gives me the rook and move at chess, and 
 beats me more than half the time then. His farm is a 
 model in arrangement and management, and his crops 
 and stock show how much skill can accomplish in making 
 a naturally sterile soil look well and pay well. 
 
 Pupil. — Really, my worthy master, I am more in the 
 dark than ever. I would have cheerfully wagered quite 
 a large sum, for me, that you had some other object in 
 your twice-a-year visits than caUing on the friend with 
 the wondrous nerve force. Hunting, fishing, and camp- 
 ing, are all very pleasant ; yet I was reacly to swear your 
 
212 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 description would have been that of some bright feminine, 
 in place of a Pennsylvania Squire Osbaldeston, or Sir 
 Tatton. I looked for some dashing Die Vernon, — and 
 though, not long ago, you informed me that a farm and 
 connubial happiness had evaded your grasp in the more 
 exciting whirl of the turf and road, 1 still thought the 
 idea had a charm which you were loth to give up. Now 
 this old gentleman in the mansion, on the well-stocked 
 farm, ought to have 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — Away you go hke an unbroken horse with 
 the bit between his teeth ! Having made up your mind 
 that you are wonderfully cute, you start on a scent, right 
 or wrong, and foUow it, — ^like making a trotter of every 
 race horse, no matter whether he ambles or paces. 
 
 Pupil. — Beg your pardon : and I promise not to make 
 any more unseasonable interruptions, hoping you will dis- 
 close to me in your own good time what I am sure is to 
 follow, and what would do me as much good as to see 
 Delia trot in twenty. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Your interruption, unseasonable or not, 
 came very near causing me to end abruptly the history of 
 my journey. But to finish your sentence, which I made the 
 break in. Mi'. P. has not only a daughter, but several 
 of them, as well as sons. By way of punishment, I am 
 almost tempted not to desciibe the two elder daughters 
 of this interesting family ; but feel that, much as you will 
 boast of your penetration in discovering something that 
 has no form save in yoiu- distempered fancy, it will be ne- 
 cessary to introduce them, in order that you may under- 
 stand the numerous enjoyments their talents and edu- 
 cation gave me. The eldest, Jane, is even superior to her 
 father in beauty of form, face, and complexion. There is 
 a great resemblance in their appearance. Notwithstanding 
 there is nothing but masculine vigor in every point of the 
 father, yet it is toned down and modified in the daughter, 
 
THE DAUGHTER. 213 
 
 till she is as much a type of female loneliness as the 
 famed Medician statue, which so many generations have 
 conceded to be the model. As a pi-eface, I must acloiowl- 
 edge her to be the very handsomest woman I ever saw, with 
 one exception ; and this is saying a good deal for one who, 
 for years, was a constant visitor to all of the Southern race 
 courses, witnessing the blaze of beauty that was wont to 
 shine in the grand stands at Charleston, Mobile, and New 
 Orleans. Not knowing how many feet and inches is 
 the proper standard for a woman's height, I cannot even 
 guess how tall she may be, and I can only describe her 
 stature, by saying that I -believe haK an inch either way 
 would very much lessen the grace of her figure. The deep 
 blue of her parent's eye is intensified in hers, and dark- 
 ened, till, in some lights, it becomes almost black, taking, 
 with every feehng, a varying expression, hardly needing 
 the aid of words to convey what is passing in her mind. 
 The slight Eoman curve in the old gentleman's nose gives 
 way in hers to the pui'est Grecian ; the thin and expand- 
 ing nostril, cut as finely as was ever seen portrayed in 
 ancient cameo. The upper hp is curved like the bow of 
 Cupid, while the under is rounded, and shghtly fuller. 
 The chin is beautifully turned, and the setting on of the 
 head to the finely moulded neck is perfection itself. The 
 complexion, which I have no words to describe, is the 
 finest English and American combined. Burns' "Lilies 
 dipt in wine " is vivid, without picturing the commingling 
 of tints. Those sea-shells, that are brought from the 
 shores of the Mediterranean, in their delicate pencihngs, 
 are the nearest approach I can think of. But in her 
 cheeks the changes are many, — now glowing, when ex 
 cited, now subsiding into a clear pearly lustre. Her hair 
 is of the pure golden color, which poets in aU ages have 
 rhapsodized about, and which I thought existed only in 
 their fervid and florid imaginings, till I saw Jane P. 
 
 10 
 
214 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 Her taste, in its arrangement, is equal to its marveloug 
 beauty, tliough what model is followed I am unable to 
 saiy. Every movement is graceful and lady-like, uniting 
 the poHsh of high breeding to the native modesty of her 
 every look and gesture. Educated in all the prevalent 
 female accomplishments, she excels so much in drawing 
 and painting that her other excellences are partly hidden. 
 To this fascinating pursuit she is an enthusiastic devotee ; 
 and her portfoho is filled with sketches that would de- 
 light an artist, as well as charm one whose aesthetic tps^os 
 are no better cultivated than mine. 
 
 Her sister Susan is widely different in both appearance 
 and character. Though two years younger, a stranger 
 would think her the elder. Tall, and of majestic form, 
 she has a queenly department that completely awes and 
 takes captive her youthful admirers, and, I must admit, 
 that for some time I thought her the most beautiful of 
 these two handsome sisters. The difference between Minna 
 and Brenda, Rowena and Rebecca, was not so marked ; 
 and yet there is a similarity, in Jane and Susan, in both 
 being so transcendentally beautiful. The grey eyes, black 
 — ^intensely black — eyebrows and hair of Susan, comport 
 well with the chiseled, oval face. Her features are, if 
 anything, the most regular of the two, and there is a 
 haughty look, which marks the indomitable spirit. In the 
 family circle, it is hard to say which is the most agxeeable; 
 and when I add that Susan excels as much in music as 
 Jane does in the sister art of drawing, time could not 
 hang heavy on my hands. I will forbear to say anything 
 further at present of them and their pursuits; and as their 
 father brings them down to attend the races at Jerome 
 Park, you will have an opporttmity of seeing for yourseK. 
 I have taken up so much time that I will have to defer 
 acquainting you with the details of my rustication, which 
 
JAKE AND SUSAN AT THE RACES. 215 
 
 I hope will entertain you as mticli as your account, when 
 you first came, of tlie breeding-farm, struck my fancy. 
 
 Pupil. — I am delighted at the prospect of making the 
 acquaintance of your fi'iends, and have only one request 
 to make — that you will invite them to see a trot on the 
 classic Union, when Miss Jane can have her love for the 
 beautiful gratified by seeing you drive the bob-tailed 
 buck-skin that gained favor by beating the celebrated 
 contraband, — and Mdlle. Susan can hear your musical 
 voice as you shout at him to increase his easy flight of 
 speed. 
 
 Pbeceptok. — I have a great mind to discard you en- 
 tirely ; and if you have the impertinence, even to hint at 
 my mounting a sulky, during the visit of Mr. P. and 
 daughters, I will turn every trotter out of the stable. 
 Thanks to the rough country in which the ladies live, a 
 trotting-sulky is unknown to them, and their ideas of race 
 horses are from paintings of Derby and St. Leger winners 
 sent by their friends in England, I would not, for every 
 trotter on the track, be seen driving the one you mention, 
 when I have described to them, in as glowing terms as 
 I could muster the excitement, of a closely contested race, 
 and felt, as I saw the two beautiful countenances grow 
 animated with my poor description, that the scene was 
 enacted in truth before us. Should they see in realiza- 
 tion of this the uncouth, dirty-colored bob-tailed brute, I 
 should never have the heart to see them again. 
 
 A sulky is about as unpoetical as a wheelbarrow, and 
 not only hides the figure of the horse, but places the 
 driver in a very ungraceful attitude. 
 
 How I would hke to see Susan mounted on the Falcon ! 
 What a picture it would be, not needing the aid of a 
 grand old tree to make it complete! How grand she 
 would appear enthroned on his back! And I would 
 wager my life that he would disdain to 'trot. He would 
 
216 HOESE PORTEAITUKE. 
 
 sweep along at his grandest pace, and all the equestrian 
 statues and spectacles would be far eclipsed by this living 
 display of power, gi-ace, and beauty. 
 
 We will now take up our line of march for the track, 
 when we will see how Oriole and Mavoumeen deport 
 themselves. 
 
CHAPTEB XVI. 
 
 THE COLTS— MANNER OF PROGRESSING — SWEATING — ^PHTSIO — 
 REDUCING WITHOUT MEDICINE. 
 
 Pupil. — As you are too full of the lines of grace and 
 beauty to look with equanimity on a sulky, I will have the 
 colts hitched to the wagon, frankly admitting that I want 
 them to strike you as favorably as their merits will justify. 
 Oriole, being a year the oldest, mil have the precedence, 
 and I will drive her first. 
 
 Preceptor. — You may not think much of my powers of 
 discrimination, because I do not qualify the praise of youi' 
 horses with some invidious remark ; but I must acknow- 
 ledge that I never saw colts that pleased me so well. 
 How general is the desire to be considered a good judge 
 of a horse ! I have often been much amused at the efforts 
 of people to appear learned in the scale of points. Many 
 will think that the only way of impressing a general beHef 
 in the soundness of then" judgment is to pick the animal 
 to pieces, and wliile learnedly discoursing, will often praise 
 the parts that are very faulty, while they condemn the 
 only good points in the animal. 
 
 I must say that the fancifully marked filly is one of first- 
 rate promise, and after the closest scrutiny I cannot see 
 where she could well be bettered. It is quite true that 
 she is far from being a trotter yet, and may never be 
 classed as such, no matter how much care we use in her 
 education. Her fine size, united to good form and even- 
 ness of temper, is a great thing at the outset, while her 
 
218 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 gait is certainly very true and square. The rolling and 
 hitching you spoke of she has not shown yet, and I hope, 
 if we do not hui-ry her too fast, she will not resume that 
 very annoying habit. Mavourneen I will have to see 
 move again before I venture an opinion, as I fancied there 
 was something in her movement not quite satisfactory. 
 What a beauty she is ! Unhke your friend, who thinks 
 no man rich enough to buy her if she could trot in twen- 
 ty-five, if I owned her, a harness should never riiffle a sin- 
 gle pile of her golden hair. Much as I would admire the 
 grand picture Susan and the Falcon would make, I can 
 fancy one I would give more to possess. Imagine a gxassy 
 dell where a sheeny brook is "singing a quiet tune." 
 Jane is seated on a violet bank sketching an elm, — its 
 branches rising like the capital of a Corinthian column, in 
 graceful reversed cui*ves, crowned with a wealth of fohage 
 terminating the sj)ray-like branches. Mavourneen is 
 standing by as if watching the transferring of the sylvan 
 monarch to the paper, too much attached to her beautiful 
 mistress to leave her side. The drawing finished, how 
 gayty the fair artist gallops homeward, the sliining curls 
 floating in the ambient fluid ! But I cry your forbearance, 
 u,nd jDromise not to let the incidents of the last three 
 weeks interfere with the attention we must now give our 
 horses. 
 
 Pupil. — Truly, I am sorry that you have come to that 
 conclusion, and trust we have time enough to talk of 
 something else besides horse. We who make the business 
 of training our chief occupation, are apt to be bored with 
 any other theme, till those who are thrown in our com- 
 pany think that horsemen are fitted for no other place 
 than a stable, or at most, some saloon where races are 
 made, and pools sold. We must educate om'selves, as well 
 as teach the quadrupeds, and much of the obloquy now 
 heaped on us will give way to a proper appreciation of the 
 
INCIPIENT LAMENESS. -2l9 
 
 merits we possess. A love for the beautiful is just as com- 
 patible with handling horses, as in the professions absorb- 
 ing the greater proportion of the talent of the country, I 
 sincerely hope the day is not far distant, when a Hberal 
 education will be thought essential in the training of a 
 good horseman ; and I know that reading and study are 
 rewarded in this profession, as in those where erudition 
 is considered the only foundation to build upon. I am 
 certain that Jane's pictures and Susan's music would have 
 charmed you fully as much, if the artists had been less 
 favored by nature in being themselves so beautiful. 
 But 
 
 Preceptor. — We will dispense with the continuation of 
 the sentence, as I do not want to be led into a disputation 
 at present, nor to argue an abstract question of art, fur- 
 ther than to heartily agree with you in the necessity of 
 education in our business. We will now attend the even- 
 ing walk of the horses, and without utterly tabooing the 
 subjects that have been uppermost in my mind, we must 
 give to training the study it so imperatively demands, if 
 we would succeed in getting all of our horses in proper 
 order, so that they may trot their races according to their 
 best ability. 
 
 In former conversations, we discussed the effects of 
 walking, and I do not know that much more can be said 
 at present pertaining to that part of the exercise. I al- 
 ways like to see the horses when at their walk, and by 
 closely watching them, can distinguish if anything is going 
 wrong. When a horse is fairly settled in his walk, there is 
 very httle variation in the way in which he performs it; and 
 when he does change, I always try to find out the reason 
 that causes him to go differently. Slight strains, that 
 unattended too often result in serious lameness, sometimes 
 show more plainly when a horse is walking than when 
 going at a faster gait. By closely scrutinizing the move- 
 
220 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 ments of a horse when well, the eye will detect changes 
 the most skillful could not see, if not acquainted with the 
 peculiarities of the animal, I have seen the removal of 
 shoes followed by a difference so marked, that the change 
 would be ascribed to something serious having happened ; 
 and as an illustration of this, will recoimt a circumstance 
 that occurred before I adopted the present system of shoe- 
 ing. I sent a horse to the shop to have his shoes reset. 
 He came back apparently all right, yet, when taken out 
 in the afternoon to walk, I saw a shortening of his step, 
 which soon changed to positive lameness. The most thor- 
 ough examination failed to discover the cause, though I 
 felt convinced the shoeing was the reason. The job had 
 evidently been done with the greatest care ; the shoe fit- 
 ted exactly, and every nail was driven the same distance 
 above it. I thought that perhaps the clinches had been 
 too closely drawn, hampering the foot with the pressure. 
 It was too late to take him back to the shop that night, so 
 the foot-tub was brought in requisition, and the soaking 
 kept up till bed-time. Next morning he was worse, there- 
 fore I went to the shop with him myself. The smith was 
 positive the injury was not caused by the shoeing, and 
 suggested sj)rains of the cofl&n-joint, pastern, elbow, or 
 shoulder. He cut the clinches, di'awing the nails out sep- 
 arately, when we soon discovered what had caused the 
 difficulty. The nail in making had been split, and, in 
 driving, the parts had divided, one portion coming out 
 where intended, the other, following a straight coui'se, had 
 pressed on the sensitive portion of the foot, and, of course, 
 the hurt inci>3ased as the walk was continued. The sys- 
 tem of shoeing we are now practicing would, in a meas- 
 ure, guard against the occurrence of this accident — the 
 nails being hardly more than half the customary length, 
 and the point of exit much nearer the shoe, so that the 
 
PREPAKATION FOR SWEATIISTG. 221 
 
 liability of their taking a wrong curve when driven is much 
 lessened. 
 
 As you remarked, Never Mind has a very queer manner 
 of progression, and I can hardly think it is his natural 
 walk. If so, it is " werry pecuHar," as Sam Weller would 
 say, and totally unlike any walk I ever witnessed before. 
 May it not be asoribed to the severity of treatment he met 
 with at the hands of the man who worked him so hard, 
 and who sweated him so often, that there was neither 
 vigor nor proper Hfe left m him ? As it resembles so much 
 the manner in which a horse would walk when nearly 
 prostrated from exhaustion, the inference is, that he ac- 
 quired it from having been forced to take long walks, 
 when he ought to have been allowed uninterrupted repose. 
 
 As he is more gross than any of the others, he will be 
 the first we should sweat ; and as I contemplate putting 
 him through that ordeal in a few days, we will now begin 
 his preparation. Half an hour before the time for the 
 others to come in, he can be stopped and allowed to graze. 
 His hay will be ciTrtailed a httle to-night, and the quantity 
 of grain slightly increased. It was formerly my plan, 
 when a horse was in the situation he is, to give him a doso 
 of physic, and I would have thought any one a mere tyro 
 in the business Avho neglected to do so. Many still fol- 
 low that plan, and would think it impossible to condition 
 a horse without the use of drastic drugs. Had some one 
 asked me the reason why I used physic, I should have 
 answered that it was to decrease the belly, rectify a dis- 
 ordered action of the bowels, expel parasites, prevent hu- 
 mors and plethora, cure swelled legs, and refresh and en- 
 liven the animal. Blood-letting, diiu-etics and diaphore- 
 tics, were also connected with the violent purgations, and 
 considered prime necessaries in the treatmeat of horses 
 expected to go fast. If a horse is not health;-, the veteri- 
 narian ought to be consulted. But as long as he feeds 
 10* 
 
f22 HOESE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 heartily, I would certainly rely on getting him in proper 
 condition with other agents than by dosing him with balls 
 and drenches. The reasons why I advise that Never IVIind 
 should graze for half an hour, the amount of his hay 
 shortened, and grain increased, are that the stomach 
 may not be encumbered, the evacuations more pultaceous, 
 and less danger of feverish symptoms following the 
 exudation. I only mention the sweating incidentally, as 
 we wUl give it the fullest consideration when the time 
 comes to practice it. Physic I have hardly treated as it 
 should be, and we may as well consider now the bearing 
 it has as part of the preparation for fast work, as in the 
 future. Horse training is not the only thing it has been 
 considered important in. Had a man to be "fitted" for 
 any arduous undertaking, it was also held imperative that 
 he should follow a course that was sure to weaken, and 
 needing cordials for him to recover from the effects. 
 And not alone in athletic exercises has its use been sanc- 
 tioned ; but purging and bleeding have been practiced in 
 every department of life. The bolus and lancet depleted 
 the system, outraging nature, whose violated laws were so 
 little understood that the life currents were sapped, and 
 the tone of the stomach injured by the poisons intro- 
 duced. 
 
 The practitioner for the human family has broken away 
 from the old practices, and increased longevity is the re- 
 sult. The course of physic j^rescribed by the old trainers 
 was three doses, given at intervals of fi'om eight to four- 
 teen days. Twice a year this had to be gone through 
 with ; first, when the horse was taken up in the spring 
 after the winter's rest, and again when the season of labor 
 was com^^leted. The first effect of physic is to act on the 
 inner surface of the stomach and bowels. This irritation 
 causes a copious secretion of a water-like fluid, derived 
 from the blood. Thus nature tries to relieve the system 
 
EFFECTS OF USING PHYSIC. 223 
 
 from the poison by diluting it and extending the surface 
 on which it acts. 
 
 The loss of blood is made up by the absorbing vessels. 
 They first commence operations on the fat, which under- 
 goes a change, and acquires a resemblance to blood. This, 
 so far, might be of service by removing the superfluities 
 which are in the way of rapid locomotion ; but, unfortu- 
 nately, it does not end here. The superpurgation, that 
 almost invariably follows this course, is so debihating that 
 much valuable time is lost in re-establishing the health. 
 As an evidence that there has been injury done, the horse 
 that was in good spirits before, and had a hearty appetite, 
 becomes dull and refuses his food. The sickness and de- 
 jection usually passes off when purging takes place, and 
 the intestines have become relieved of the foreign matter. 
 There have been numerous instances of horses being killed 
 by the operation of violent cathartics, though not even 
 then will the practitioner admit his error, and will ascribe 
 the fatal result to the want of constitution in the animal, 
 not to the vii'ulence of the drug. The question may be 
 asked, " How then will you train a horse overloaded with 
 flesh, with legs that are swollen from plethoric habit, and 
 which is naturally not strong enough to stand the work 
 necessary to have him trot fast in a short period of time?" 
 It would be much better not to subject such an animal to 
 hard work until we had taken time to bring him by de- 
 grees to where he could endure, without injury, the exer- 
 tion of getting rid of the superfluities. Blood-letting, 
 purging and sweating, are the means used by all trainers 
 to accomplish the reduction of the subject. If we discard 
 the first two, are we not likely to do as serious injury by 
 depending entirely on the latter? One thing has been 
 received as an axiom by aU of those who have the manage- 
 ment of horses ; viz., that no curtailment of food is ad- 
 missible. Admitting the truth of the old adage, that the 
 
224 HORSE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 more the horse eats the better condition he "will b*^ in, we 
 must qualify it with the explanation, that his work must 
 be in proportion, so that he continually gains in speed 
 and stoutness. The horse that eats so much, that, with 
 all the work his legs and lungs will stand, he keeps taking 
 on too much flesh, must be restricted in the supply, if even 
 it fall below that which we would like to see him eating. 
 The position then may be untenable although sanctioned 
 by those highest in the profession. One of the great re- 
 quisites for speed is muscle, and all recognize the fact that 
 a diminution of that article is an injury. Hence the vol- 
 ume has to be kept up ; and the argument used is, that 
 food makes muscle, and that the quantity will decrease 
 with any curtailment of the rations. It would be impos- 
 sible to say how much food would have to be given to 
 form all the muscle a horse could carry. 
 
 An idle horse eating, say twelve quarts per day, would 
 eliminate from the surplus a good deal more fat, and 
 Qothing like as much muscle, as the one eating the same 
 cf^uantity and regularly worked. All that the horse eats 
 ►bove the daily waste is stowed up for future use. When 
 ■ he food is below the requirements, the fat is first seized 
 ' -n by the absorbents, and it would take a long time before 
 a very gross animal would become emaciated on a sHght 
 decrease of food. When a horse has become inordinately 
 fat, it is distributed both in the interior and on the out- 
 side ; and one. that is high in flesh, and that flesh acquired 
 while doing a fair quantity of fast work, has his surplus 
 mainly covering the ribs and filhng up the iiiterstices be- 
 tween the muscles. In one case the fat interferes with the 
 action of the heart and limgs, completely hindering the 
 working of the machine, and making it totally impossible 
 to go any distance fast ; while in the other, though ham- 
 pered with the additional unnecessary weight, the horse 
 wrorks with far less labor. His legs would become weary, 
 
STUDY OF HIPPOPATIiOLOGT. 225 
 
 which repose would soon restore. Should these two 
 horses be put in train at the same time, both having to trot 
 races on the same day, it is apparent that their treatment 
 could not be alike. There would be no difficulty with the 
 one : his food and work could be given with impunity. With 
 the other, some part of his preparation would have to be 
 hurried, and I would much rather it should be in the last 
 stage than the first. Two-thirds the amount of grain, with 
 not over half the hay, three feeds a day in place of four, 
 and the work given when the stomach was as near empty 
 as possible — before feeding in the morning — would be the 
 variation. The sweats given with less work and heavier 
 clothing would suit me better than sickening him with 
 aloes. The alterative medicine we are giving CHpper is 
 very difierent in its effects. It is also combined with a 
 tonic, and the intention is to strengthen — not weaken — the 
 stomach. 
 
 Pupil. — I have often wondered at the array of bottles, 
 pots, and cans, which some trainers fill their stables with, 
 and have imagined that if all their contents were needed 
 to develop the trotting-speed of the inmates, that chem- 
 istry and pharmacy were necessary studies. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — That the study of Hippopathology would 
 be beneficial to trainers, I firmly believe, giving them the 
 power, to detect disease, before it became seated and re- 
 quired the aid of a veterinarian to handle; but when seated, 
 I would much prefer putting the case in the hands of a man 
 who has made that science his whole study and business. 
 To be able to form a correct diagnosis of a malady that is 
 tlu-eatening a horse, might be of great service in estabhsh- 
 ing guards to prevent it. My remarks in allusion to pur- 
 gatives were as a means of furthering condition. I most 
 assuredly would not throw them out as prescriptions for 
 disease. The question is, Is it necessary to give a well 
 horse medicine, thereby making him sick, in order that 
 
226 HORSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 his frame may be brought the sooner to endure great 
 fatigue ? I think that other processes are better, yet it is 
 a matter of so much moment, that we ought not to take 
 any one's assertions, unless such assertions are based on 
 good Judgment, or have been put to the proof. 
 
 Pupil. — Your former remarks that air, food, exercise, and 
 a strict attention to cleanliness, were the great adjuncts 
 to successful training, appear to cover the whole ground. 
 The variations that can be made with the almost endless 
 varieties of food, and the difference in exercise from the 
 walk to the fast trot, vnll meet the wants of, at least, a 
 majority of horses. With what little knowledge I have 
 of training, I should never have thought of drenching or 
 balling to hasten condition. If one of my horses were 
 taken with scouring, T should try at once to check it by 
 giving more hay and less grain ; sometimes using a drink 
 made with starch or wheat flour, and if the case was bad, 
 using injections of the same material. Oftentimes suck- 
 ling colts are greatly troubled with this complaint, and if 
 it is not stopped, it will kill them in a veiy short time. I 
 seldom fail to cure it by restricting the mother to flour 
 and water for drink, with a very little tannin in it. But 
 if it has not been attended to at once, the poison becomes 
 disseminated in the system of the foal, and both have to 
 be treated. In that case I give two or three raw eggs, 
 broken, into the colt's mouth, and should these fail, a strong 
 cup of black coffee will, nine times in ten, effect a cure. 
 I was much amused at a friend of mine who left with me 
 tliree mares to stay during the season. One of them had 
 a foal by the Falcon, which the man thought very highly 
 of. "When ready to leave, he asked me how I treated colts 
 with the scours. I answered as I have been telHng you. 
 That would not do for him, and I must accompany him to 
 the town, where he would get me the medicine that I must 
 use, in case his colt should be unfortunate enough to be 
 
HOMCEOPATHIC PKESCEIPTIOlSrS. 227 
 
 attacl^ed. I, of course, went with him to the drug store. 
 He got a half ounce vial which he filled with distilled wa- 
 ter ; to this he added as much of a white powder as would 
 lie on the extreme point of the small blade of a pen knife. 
 He then directed me to take another vial the same size, fill 
 it with rain-water and put three drops of the hquid of the 
 first vial mto it, and should the colt become sick, drop one 
 drop on his tongue, showing me how to hold my finger to 
 guard against any more falling. I could hardly keep my 
 countenance, but managed to restrain myself to ask what 
 would be the result, should more than one drop be given. 
 He answered, two drops will stop the discharge too sud- 
 denly, but be very careful that three droj)s are not given, 
 as that would certainly kill him. I took the vial without 
 any further remarks, and as the colt was well all the time 
 he was at my place, I had no opportunity to test the won- 
 derful efficacy of the eightieth part of a drop of the first 
 solution. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Such infinitesimal doses, I should think, 
 could not do much good or harm. Still to me there is some- 
 thing very wonderful in homoeopathy, and I believe that 
 system carried into horse practice would be beneficial. 
 The cruelty now constantly attending the treatment of 
 horses by those who boast loudly of their skill, and impose 
 on the credulity of owners, might be abated, if all, not 
 regularly educated in veterinary colleges, followed the 
 homoeopathic formula. How much cruelty has been prac- 
 ticed in the treatment of horses for the colic ! I have 
 known a pint of soft soap and a pint of vinegar first given, 
 then a pint of whiskey and a tablespoonful of Cayenne 
 pepper, then a quarter of a pound of saleratus dissolved 
 in hot water, and lastly, a gill of spirits of turpentine 
 poured down the nostrill. The men who recommended 
 the last dose were highly indignant when I prophecied it 
 would kill him, and I nearly got myself in a scrape by 
 
228 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 denouncing- them as an ignorant, cruel set, unworthy of 
 ever seeing a horse. I have never yet known a case of 
 flatulent or spasmodic colic fail to be relieved by the use 
 of copious injections of warm water, if given in time. 
 While recommending the study of the pathology of the 
 horse, I would still more strongly urge the consideration 
 of his anatomy ; at least, so far as to obtain a correct 
 knowledge of the osseous structure. Knowing correctly 
 the position of every joint and articulation, we can arrive 
 with far more certainty at the solution of lameness, which 
 otherwise might be difficult to locate. For instance an 
 enlargement of the coronary ligament is often taken for 
 ringbone ; and the effort to reduce this morbid growth in 
 the tissues, is the cause of hundreds being tortured in the 
 vain hope of curing an incurable disease. 
 
 Acquaintance with anatomy would also be of good 
 service in determining the structural symmetry and equi- 
 poise of the parts that form the well-balanced whole. 
 This might be important knowledge when adjusting the 
 work to the supi^osed capabihty of the animal ; of course it 
 would be impossible to demonstrate from the form the work 
 a horse ought to have, and yet knowing the faulty place in 
 that horse's make-up, might lead to a variation in his 
 treatment, resulting favorably, when one might have gone 
 on a wrong track unguided. It is getting rather too late 
 in the day to discuss this question now ; at some future 
 time we will have a talk on the proper-frame work for 
 rapid locomotion. Considei'iug the horse as a finished 
 piece of mechanism, it is essential that each part should 
 be in proportion to work in harmony, so that there need 
 be no waste of muscular power in moving it along. 
 
CHAPTEE XYII. 
 
 HAHNESSmO — DRIVING — COMMAJiTD OP TEMPEK — DRITENG ON ICE — 
 "WIIfTEK-TROTTING IN CHICAGO, &C. 
 
 Preceptor. — Good morning, my hopeful scliolar. I see 
 you are awaiting my presence to commence operations. 
 
 Pupil,. — We are all ready. The morning wallc is through 
 with, and I have harnessed Jane. I always like to have 
 the harness get warm before hitching to the vehicle. I 
 formerly owned a horse that, if saddled and mounted im- 
 mediately, would throw off the best rider in the world ; 
 but if saddled half an hour before he was brought out of 
 the barn, would go as quietly as desired. I ascribed this 
 to the coldness and damj)ness of the pad, which had pro- 
 bably fiightened him in his first lessons. 
 
 Preceptor. — In all likelihood that was the reason. The 
 stuffing of the saddle absorbs a good deal of moisture, 
 which must be exceedingly uncomfortable when pressed 
 down with a man's weight. I have known horses that 
 would not puU freely 'till they had "warmed in the 
 collar," as the grooms say. 
 
 Regarding harnessing, nearly every man who uses a 
 horse would say, that he can harness one properly, when 
 the fact is that many professional grooms are not aware 
 when it is rightly done. For trotters, especially, the 
 greatest care should be observed that every strap is in its 
 right place, and every billet buckled in its i^roper hole. 
 When on, the whole suit ought to fit like a lady's glove, 
 without confining the animal by a pressure of buckles, 
 
230 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 drawn as tightly as tlie force of the groom will permit. 
 The bridle ought to be so adjusted that the bit will not 
 draw into the corners of the mouth, yet close enough, so 
 that the winkers or blinds will have the right set — the 
 fore-top straightened below the brow band so that the 
 hairs will not be broken. The breast-collar should come 
 above the points of the shoulders, without encroaching on 
 the windpipe. There is just the right place for the back 
 pad on every horse, viz. : where the .springing of the 
 withers and the swelHng of the ribs make it sit easily ; 
 this is, of course, regulated by the length of the crupper 
 strap. The breeching ought to be about level with the 
 stifles. 
 
 When the horse has been placed in the shafts— the 
 reins having been run through the martingale rings and 
 terrets — first fasten the traces to the whiffletree, then 
 buckle the false girth. I follow this plan with horses 
 that are restive when being hitched to the sulky, for 
 should they want to start, you are in a situation to humor 
 them. Now buckle the holdbacks, placing them under 
 the traces, which will prevent the breeching flying up, 
 giving, of course, plenty of room. The breeching ought 
 to be so loose that you can di-aw it several inches away 
 from the quarters. Snubbing-straps I never use, having 
 found that, when the martingale is at its proper length, 
 there will be no undue pull on the girth. I think many 
 are prone to err in shortening the martingale so as to 
 make quite a sharp an^e in the reins, reasoning, that 
 because a horse throws his head up in a break, there 
 must be a downward pull to "catch him." It is true, that, 
 with a short martingale, you get something of a pulley 
 pm-chase, pex-haps not greatly augmenting your strength, 
 but allowing you to hold all you get. I am doubtful, 
 however, if the advantage gained is commensurate with 
 the injury done. The horse, unable to keep his feet, either 
 
RECOVERING FROM A BREAK. 231 
 
 from the pace being too rapid, making a mis-step, or be- 
 coming tired, breaks. His recollections are of being pun- 
 ished by having the bit twitched about in his mouth, and 
 he throws his head up to bring the bit on the least sensi- 
 tive part. The fear overcomes his judgment, and he com- 
 pletely loses his j)resence of mind, making a " terrible bad 
 break." The dead pull the short martingale produces 
 further worries him, and he tries, with short, sudden jerks 
 of his head to fi'ee himself from the restraint. With the 
 lengthened martingale there is only a little friction be- 
 tween the rein and ring — not sufficient to misplace the 
 girth. We get far better control of the horse's head, and 
 there is not near the danger of doubling him up, so that 
 he will strike his knee or grab his quarters. 
 
 Drivers have generally a favorite way, peculiar to them- 
 selves, of recovering a horse from a break. One throws 
 his body back in the sulky, and his whole weight on one 
 rein, drawing the horse's head around till his neck forms 
 the arc of a circle, with a very short radius. Another 
 snatches him from one side to the other, while a third 
 yaws him about as far as the width of the track will 
 permit. My plan is varied. If a horse breaks when I 
 have been forced to pull him sharply, to keep him on his 
 feet, I immediately slacken the rein, giving him the free 
 use of his head, as it is possible he may have been par- 
 tially choking under the pull. Throwing his nose out is a 
 great relief to him under these circumstances. Should he 
 not catch of his own accord after going a few lengths, I 
 give him a little shake with one rein, as a reminder that 
 he is doing wrong, accompanied by a gentle pull, which 
 will always succeed in those horses I have worked myself. 
 If a horse is overtrottiug, and flies up excited, a sharp, 
 strong pull, lifting him, as it were, back to his trotting- 
 gait is often successful, without the loss of much ground. 
 As soon as you feel him settled, ease away gradually till 
 
232 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 he goes on with as light a pull as is compatible. Horses 
 that are not addicted to pulling, frequently take a very 
 sharp hold of the iron when scoring, or in the first start 
 of a race. With these we will have to be very gentle, 
 ruffling them as little as possible, and yet suffering them 
 to come to the score at their best flight of speed. It is a 
 great thing to have a horse that will go from the score 
 well, enabling you to make choice of the track, and ob- 
 taining other advantages that a leading horse always pos- 
 sesses. The pull we were forced to give at the ou.tset can 
 soon be slackened, provided we have been lucky enough 
 not to have made a mistake. Though I find I am again 
 traveling away from the subject, I thought it a good time 
 to say something about harnessing when the union be- 
 tween martingales and breaking presented itself. There 
 is much yet to think about relative to the leathern equip- 
 ments ; and after Jane displays her capabilities, and you 
 jog Falcon and Never Mind, we will resume the consider- 
 ation of martingales, check reins, and blinders. 
 
 PopiL. — I want to recall your promise, that you would 
 devise a way that I could exercise Jane without danger 
 of her running away. I am not afraid of her absolutely 
 getting away with me, though I am fearful of injuring her 
 mouth in restraining her. 
 
 Preceptor. — I see you have followed instructions in 
 putting a chain-bit in her mouth. Hitch her to the wagon 
 and I will jog her myself, and my word for it, she goes as 
 quietly as can be expected. 
 
 There, you see she did not act badly, only compelling 
 me to bring her to a stop a few times before she learned 
 that all that I required was for her to go slow. It is true, 
 that, when I turned her around to try her the right way 
 of the track, she was somewhat excited. But finding, 
 that I would permit her to walk only, she acquiesced like 
 the well-bred one she is. She must make her mark, if for 
 
GOVEENIKQ THE TEMPEE. 233 
 
 no other reason than the name she wears, and if she 
 should show herself worthy, forgeting all her bad habits, 
 and going "alarmingly fast," we will add the surname, 
 and she shall wear the best suit of clothes that can be 
 bought to deck her ladyship, embroidered by the fair fin- 
 gers that can do it so well. 
 
 The few steps she took, when I first turned her around, 
 convinced me, that she has any amount of power, which 
 we must make available by proper teaching. 
 
 I feel safe in guaranteeing, that she will not strike her 
 knee. StOl we will let her wear a boot on the one that is 
 slightly enlarged, whenever we permit her to go fast 
 enough to endanger it. I will now see you drive the 
 others. 
 
 Pupil. — Tou must have put some potent charm on the 
 Falcon, as I never knew him to jog so quietly on the track 
 before. This must be one of his white days. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — Or rather say of yours. It is hard to con- 
 vince a person of the absolute requirement there is to 
 govern the temper when handling horses. Tou got into 
 the sulky, knowing, that every motion of you and the 
 horse was to be closely watched ; so you were constrained 
 to be on your good behavior. You governed him by kind 
 words and gentle tones, in heu of puUing at the bit. The 
 good effects you have seen. Should you ever feel a httle 
 cross-grained, delay exercising till the black fit is off. If 
 you have not an Annot Lyle to charm you out of the 
 sulks, rely on reason to guide you, but above everything 
 else, visit not your wrath on the horses. Tou cannot al- 
 ways expect them to understand every command, and 
 should they appear disobedient, rely entirely on kindness. 
 It is true that there must be punishments, as well as re- 
 wards. Be convinced of your own temper before you 
 strike. Mark me, that we are going to cure these horses 
 of all former bad habits by uniform kindness, and I urge 
 
234 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 on your consideration, more strenuously than circum- 
 stances will warrant, the necessity of uniformity of temper. 
 A blow, a passionate jerk of the reins, even a harsh word, 
 might render nugatory the teachings of weeks. Having 
 once been in rebellion, they will be incited thereto again, 
 by treatment analogous to that which was the primary 
 cause, only it will require less ill usage to spoil them than 
 it did on the start. Never Mind you will drive a trifle 
 faster than you did the Falcon, ending your diive when 
 you have gone five miles. Should the weather be favor- 
 able, we will sweat him day after to-morrow, and again in 
 a week from that time. The Falcon and Jane will then 
 also be ready to lose part of their surplus. 
 
 Pupil. — You need not apologize for urging the neces- 
 sity of keeping my temper. Having a fair command of 
 it there are yet times when I find it difficult to keep it in 
 subjection. I feel, that it is more important with those 
 horses that have suffered abuse, than even with the colts, 
 as there is always more danger from a relapse, than from 
 the disease at first. 
 
 Peeceptor. — The high-headed brown fellow certainly 
 makes a fine appearance ; and, to take the motto of his 
 native State as a password, we will try "to guide" him so 
 that he may be no discredit to the land that has turned 
 out several of our best trotters. They were fortunate in 
 obtaining some of the Messenger blood from near the 
 source of the stream, and, having the blood, have made 
 the most of their inhospitable climate, by taking advantage 
 of the frozen surface of their rivers to teach the scions of 
 a noble horse to trot, that otherwise would have been 
 compelled to haul the plough or wagon all their lives. I 
 have heard a good deal of argument whether it was better 
 iO drive a horse on the ice or not. Never having tried 
 the experiment, I can only hazard an opinion. It appears 
 
DKIVING ON THE ICE. 235 
 
 as if the unyielding thick ice would be rather a dangeroua 
 place for the feet and legs. 
 
 Pupil. — I am inclined to think that, in the northern lati- 
 tudes, the ice might be taken advantage of for teaching 
 colts to trot, without being detrimental to the feet or legs. 
 I have tried it a little, and found by proper shoeing the 
 jar was in a great measure taken oflj and they could go 
 with more freedom than on the frozen roads. The shoe I 
 have found best adapted to ice work, has a little resem- 
 blance to the flanged one we are now using. The toe-calk 
 is made to extend quite a distance round the shoe, and the 
 heel ones are set parallel with the foot, and nearly an inch 
 long. They are made of steel, and kej)t very sharp, so 
 that the cutting into the ice not only gives a better hold, 
 but takes off a great deal of the concussion. I had an eye 
 to the benefit of ice driving, when locating the breeding- 
 farm near the Mississij)pi. The river itseH is apt to close 
 up rough, from the running ice pushing huge cakes over 
 one another. On the large island, however, there are lakes 
 not disturbed by the current, where the ice is smooth, and 
 the woods afford protection from the wind. 
 
 One season I broke three colts that were of the same age, 
 and very closely matched in speed. Two of these I let 
 run all winter ; the third I had shod, and drove her as 
 occasion required — chiefly to the Httle town a couple of 
 miles off. By making a circuit, I could drive on a bayou 
 where the ice was good, and where I would let her step 
 along. She was taken out at irregular intervals, and 
 driven only when her services were needed. Neither had 
 she any better care than the others. When brought in, a 
 blanket was thrown over her till she became dry, when it 
 was removed. The others were turned out of their stalls 
 into the field every day that was not stormy. All were fed 
 alike. As the spring opened, the colt's shoes were puUed 
 off, and she was allowed to run two or three weeks after 
 
236 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 the other two were taken up. She soon trotted right over 
 the others, and kept her lead all summer. This impressed 
 me so highly with the benefits to be derived from driving 
 on the ice, that I am determined to pursue it when I got 
 back home, and by giving it a fair trial I think I will be 
 able to decide in relation to its advantages. I think the 
 smooth sux'face gave her confidence, after the novelty of 
 the situation had worn off. Some cold mornings the ice 
 would crackle and rumble as though an earthquake was 
 breaking up the foundations of the river. This would 
 startle the colt, and she would dart away frightened, 
 though she very soon became accustomed to the noise, and 
 paid no further attention to it. I noticed she would bear 
 more urging without breaking than when on the track. 
 There was a marked difference in her action the following 
 summer — keeping her feet under her better, and going 
 more like a trotter in every particular. The treatment 
 for horses trained in this way would have to be very dif- 
 ferent, of course, than if the weather were warm ; walking 
 would be inadmissible, and much grooming would be an 
 injury, by breaking the hair. Large, soft blankets, to ab- 
 sorb the perspiration, and permit the moisture to evapo- 
 rate, would be essential. The stable would have to be 
 moderately warm, with plenty of straw to make a bed 
 that would cover then- knees as they stood. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Anything I could say regarding driving on 
 the ice would only be surmise. Though I cannot see any 
 reason why colts would not be benefited by the winter's 
 schooling, I would not like to make the lessons very 
 severe, although when I fotmd the hmbs and feet Vere un- 
 injured, there would not be a great deal to fear otherwise. 
 The rapid inhalation of very cold air might be prejudicial 
 to the lungs, which would be obviated by making the 
 brushes very short. Skating is admitted to be a healthy 
 recreation, provided proper precautions are taken to keep 
 
TKOTTIKG ON" THE CHICAGO RIVEE. 237 
 
 the extremities warm ; and of course, the frozen air has to 
 be breathed by the bipid, in, perhaps, as rapid draughts 
 as the young- trotter would require. I shall await your 
 further experiments with some anxiety, as it woxild be a 
 great gaining of time, if we could make the winter months 
 available for continuing our lessons. 
 
 Pupil. — The Chicago River, in the winter months, is fre- 
 quently a very animated scene. It runs nearly through 
 the centre of the city, its two branches uniting some three- 
 quarters of a mile above its confluence with the lake, di- 
 viding the town into three compartments, known as the 
 south, west, and north sides. It is one of the main causes 
 of Chicago's greatness, making not only one of the finest 
 harbors in the world, but giving facilities for the handling 
 of grain, lumber, and mer<3handise, that are unequaled in 
 any place that I know of. There are upwards of twelve 
 miles of docks, with numerous large elevators, whence the 
 grain is taken from the cars, and vessels loaded so rapidly^ 
 that millions of bushels are transferred, without causing 
 any more bustle than is apparent every day. Those en- 
 gaged in the business are the only ones cognizant of any 
 greater degree of activity than usually characterizes the 
 place, although shipping corn and wheat enough in one 
 day to equal the whole amount grown in some of the New 
 England States. Five di'awbridges span its turbid wave in 
 the distance of a mile ; and when the ice is good, and the 
 scores of fast horses are dashing rapidly below them, throngs 
 of people are congregated to watch the exciting spectacle. 
 
 Here is a pair with gTand and lofty action, keej)ing step 
 with the regularity of trained soldiers : the merry bells 
 jingling in cadence to the measured footfalls. The wolf 
 robes are comfortably tucked around the form of one of 
 the fairest daughters of the garden city, and the furred 
 and gauntleted driver seems to be at a loss which to be 
 most proud of, the costly turn-out, or the beautiful lady at 
 
 11 
 
238 HORSE POKTRAITURE, 
 
 his side. They are going fast; but a few rods behind thenj 
 a pair of small chestnuts, with flowing manes and nervous 
 step, are rapidly approaching. This sleigh has also two 
 inmates, muffled so closely, that you can only see the blue, 
 good-humored eyes of the driver, contrasted with the 
 small, black and glistening orbs of his companion, that 
 are fairly dancing with excitement at the prospect of a 
 brush. As soon as the leader is aware of their proximity, 
 the tapering whip is allowed to fall lightly on the quarters 
 of his gallant steeds, and they respond by an increased 
 flight of speed. It is in vain : the chesnuts' heads are oppo- 
 site the cutter as they rush under Clark-street Bridge — as 
 they emerge from the shadow, they are lapped, and in the 
 next one hundi'ed yards are ghding rapidly away, the 
 grand bays pawing frantically in the air. Yonder come 
 two of the fastest, rigged to skeleton sleighs. Many has 
 been the boast of what each could do with the other when 
 they came together ; yet neither seems anxious to bring 
 it to a practical test. They are jogging along quietly, when 
 line driver chirrups at his horse, and he darts away at a 
 forty chp ; but he soon pulls him up, and the other goes 
 through the same maneuver. Once more they are in 
 juxtaposition, and away they go. How rapidly they over- 
 haul those that seemed to be going so fast ! Still they are 
 head and head. The words of encouragement of their 
 respective drivers give place to quick, sharp yells, and 
 the whips are also brought in requisition. How eagerly 
 they strain for mastery! One has got the length of his 
 neck in advance, and seems still to be gaining by a quarter 
 of an inch at a stride, when up he goes ; his competitor 
 has a clear length the lead before the other recovers ; but 
 when he does regain his trot, he is going faster than ever. 
 The people on the bridges are shouting with excitement; 
 and from the decks of the vessels, that are now motionless, 
 wedged in the frigid barrier, come corresponding shouts. 
 
RACING OK THE ICE. 239 
 
 The other actors in this gliding panorama have pulled 
 their horses to a slow pace, and are intently watching the 
 progress of the race. As the racers pass the victorious 
 chestnuts, a clear, ringing voice issues from below the 
 sparkling eyes : "A thousand dollars to five hundred that 
 Medoc pops it to him." There are no such odds, for as they 
 make the turn in the bend of the river, they are as closely 
 locked as Grey Eagle and Wagner were in making 
 their final brush, when strong, stalwart Kentuckians 
 fainted from the excitement of witnessing the continued 
 struggle. We catch the last ghmpse of them as they fly 
 by the South Branch, and we are left to imagine which 
 will be crowned the victor. There must be some strange 
 fascination in watching these contests : regardless of the 
 cold, we keep our station on the bridge, till the sun's rays 
 are slanting through the white vapor, and the shadows are 
 falling thick and heavy from the huge warehouses, and He 
 in patches on the white ice. 
 
 Pkeceptob. — And surely, any one with a spark of mer- 
 cury in his composition, would endure a good deal of cold 
 to see the trotters of a great city exercising where he could 
 obtain such a view of them. From your description, I 
 judge there is nothing in the way, save the performers 
 themselves. 
 
 Pupil. — They have the whole river to themselves, and 
 to get on the ice, there has to be a declined bridge of 
 plank made from the higher elevation of the street. 
 Teams, and those engaged in business, never take the 
 trouble to drive down. I saw a race there once that was 
 thrilling. Two men were coming down the river with 
 horses that were very nearly matched, and the contest 
 was close and exciting. Before arriving at Rush Street, 
 the bit of one of the horses parted in his mouth, and he 
 run away. To ease the labor of driving, the man had 
 knotted the reins around his back, and thev had become 
 
240 HORSE POETRAITURE. 
 
 SO entangled, that in Ids excitement he could not undo 
 tbem. On tlie horse sped, and of course it would have 
 been madness to have jumped out of the sleigh, only to 
 be hauled along by the firmly twisted reins. 
 
 The frantic animal, under no control, rushed madly 
 along ; the point, on which the lighthouse stands, was 
 passed, and he made his way directly for the blue water 
 that was surging in the wintry wind. It was yet some 
 distance off, but the fearful rate, at which the scared horse 
 ran would soon carry him over the intervening space. 
 Soon the dashing of the waves, as they curled, foamed, and 
 hissed over the frail barrier, was heard, mingling their 
 sound with the j^lunge of the horse's feet, and the crisping 
 drag of the runners slightly cutting the hard surface. Only 
 a few more bounds and they would be engulfed in the cold 
 water. The driver had called and shrieked at the horse 
 till he was hoarse, and now sat with the calmness of de- 
 sx^air, with no hope that anything could avert the fearful 
 end. He speculated on the time he would have to endure 
 the embrace of the watery shroud, before he became un- 
 conscious, and wondered how long it would take him to 
 sink to the bottom and be at rest. He shut his eyes, feel- 
 ing there would be some rehef in not seeing the fatal 
 plunge. There was a shock — he felt the sleigh upsetting, 
 and his recollections were at an end. The horse had at 
 last become aware that he was going to run into the water, 
 and turning just on the brink of the ice, had nearly cap- 
 sized the cutter. He ran down the lake shore, where he 
 was stopped, the man still being in a swoon. No one 
 could ever persuade him to drive on the ice again. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — He ought to have had more sense than to 
 jepoardize his life by fastening the reins to his body. I 
 have seen men run their wrists through the hand-pieces, 
 taking a twist in them, to di-ive a hard puller ; it always 
 makes me nervous to witness it. There is danger enough 
 
RASCALITIES OF THE TURF. 241 
 
 in driving, without taking the chance of being fastened to 
 a runaway horse. With such a winter's drive as you speak 
 of, and good summer roads, there will likely be always a 
 market in Chicago for trotters. 
 
 PupHi. — There is not much doubt of that. At times I 
 have been fearful that the sharp practice of some — who 
 ought to be below the turf instead of on it — would disgust 
 the men who uphold and give countenance to the sport, and 
 that trotters would depreciate in value, until the price would 
 no longer pay for breeding and training. Should these 
 villainies finally drive the pubHc from patronizing the trot- 
 ting parks, the inquii j there will be, by those living in the 
 larger towns and cities, for sujperior roadsters, will tend to 
 keep prices up ; but the large prices that are paid at the 
 present day for the fastest trotters, in that case, could not 
 be looked for. 
 
 Preceptor. — As long as our wealthy men take the pleas- 
 ure they now do in fast driving, there will always be a 
 remunerating market. As to the rascalities that are some- 
 times practiced on the turf, it is a very tmpleasant subject 
 even to talk about. I hope there will be a joint action of 
 the clubs over the country to eradicate them. A confed- 
 eration of the different clubs and driving-park associations 
 would be the most effective cure. If ruling off one course 
 included banishment from all, there would be few bold 
 enough to take the chances of detection. 
 
 It is now approaching the time for our noontide meal. 
 After discussing that, we wiU. see if we cannot "know of 
 something for the good " of our horses, and such as will 
 be pleasanter to think of than the knaveries of mankind. 
 
CHAPTEE XVIII. 
 
 I'HB MARTINGALE — BLINDERS — BLIND AND OPEN BRIDLES — ^FEED- 
 ING — OATS AND HOMINY. 
 
 Pbeceptoe. — ^Before eating dinner, I felt a little out of 
 humor. The recollections of some transactions worried 
 me, I am pleased to say that I have recovered my equa- 
 nimity, and after inhaling the aroma of this finely flavored 
 cigar, my brain will be clear enough to discuss any topic 
 with which I am acquainted. By the way, you must have 
 obtained another supply of cigars. I see your favorite clay 
 pipe is laid aside, and you are smoking with evident satis- 
 faction the fellow to this. 
 
 Pupil. — The bale of Killikinick, that was flavored so ex- 
 actly to my taste, has unfortunately been consumed. The 
 visions that have been pictured on my brain, while assist- 
 ing at its empyreal ceremonies, have not been so evanes- 
 cent. While you were gone, and I was left to my sohtary 
 dreamings, the after-dinner smoke was among the pleas- 
 antest moments of the day. I am not going to inflict the 
 recollections of these phantasies on you now, though I 
 watched the decrease of my treasure, much as the cast- 
 away sailor would look at the daily diminishing supply of 
 water. I could not expect to get any more, as the fabri- 
 cators have gone out of the business, and I knew of none 
 others possessing the same cunning skill at selecting the 
 leaves from a year's pui'chase, having them manufactured 
 with the same care, and apportioning the fragrant spices 
 of the Orient so exactly that the compound became perfec- 
 
THE TOBACCO DONATION. 243 
 
 tion itself. The last bright leaf was biu'ning in my pipe, 
 when there came a package by express, all the way from 
 Chicago. I directed it to be left on the jDorch, quietly de- 
 liberating on what it could contain, determined however, 
 that my curiosity should be unsatisfied till I had drawn 
 the last perfumed breath ixora. the fascinating bowl. I 
 looked at the package with some misgivings, thinking that 
 when opened it would disclose some gTeat sell of Capt. 
 K — t or Charlie C — k, who are much given to the perpe- 
 tration of practical jokes and hoaxes. Both of them would 
 go without sleeping or eating for forty-eight hours, if by 
 that means they could raise a good laugh at the expense 
 of their friends ; and, to catch each other, would even go 
 without drinking for the same period. I looked at the 
 box, and felt convinced it was a hoax; but mustering reso- 
 lution to know the worst, I got a hatchet, and brought to 
 view such an array of cans and boxes, that I was fairly 
 dazzled. There were half-a-dozen bright canisters marked 
 "Banner," the same number of varnished wood ones, filled 
 with the finest smoking tobacco, almost equaling that so 
 fondly remembered. Boxes — I hardly know how many — of 
 Regalias, Punches, Principes, &c., and at the very bottom, 
 a card: "From P , No. 48 Dearborn St., Chicago, Illi- 
 nois." The present being unexpected, and coming so op- 
 portunely, made it doubly acceptable ; and though aware 
 
 that friend P is an enthusiastic admirer of the horse, 
 
 was unprepared for this hberal demonstration to one who 
 had no claims upon his generosity. I opened one of the 
 boxes of Principes, and they brought back the sunny days 
 of my youth so vividly that I have continued to smoke 
 them ever since, and can only say that no other cigars 
 would have seduced me from my vows of fidelity to the 
 pipe. When I saw the card, I needed no other guarantee 
 of their quahty, as I know only the very best ever came 
 out of P 's store. 
 
244 HORSE PORTEAITTJRE. 
 
 Pkeceptoe — You are in great luck in the tobacconists 
 of your acquaintance ; and I hope, when sending your ac- 
 knowledgments for this hberal present, you will also em- 
 body my thanks in the epistle. These cigars are, if any- 
 thing, superior to your first consignment, and would tran- 
 quilize the perturbed spirit of a man who had just lost a 
 race. 
 
 Before we return to the stable, we will resume the con- 
 sideration of the harness. The martingale we will com- 
 mence with, in relation to its use in the training of trot- 
 ters. The general idea has been that it could not be done 
 away with in their education, or its future services be dis- 
 pensed with. With saddle horses, it has long been a 
 mooted question, whether it is advantageous or not. In 
 tlais cotmtry, in the region where the best saddle horses 
 are found, it is rare to see it forming a part of their equip- 
 ment. Those who have written on the subject are divided 
 in their opinion, and while one questions its advantages, 
 another will not admit that it can be prejudicial. I have 
 embodied most of my ideas regarding it in the conversa- 
 tion this morning, adding that there are very few cases in 
 which I would decline using it, but still less frequently 
 can I see any benefit in having it very short. Harry 
 Hieover, in alluding to martingales, says : " They are use- 
 ful in two ways. With the good rider, they bring and 
 keep "the horse's head in its proper place ; and with the 
 bad one, they prevent the badness of his hands pulling it 
 into an improper one." He further recommends their use 
 in all cases, even on a horse that has to jump liigh, or a 
 distance, as crossing a stream. Carl Benson, commenting 
 on this article of Mr. Brindley's, writes: "As to long 
 jumping, I have not the slightest doubt that the martin- 
 gale is a hindrance to it, especially with green horses. I 
 have seen the experiment tried too often ; over and over 
 again I have seen a horse baulking at a ditch, and clear- 
 
THE MARTINGALE. 245 
 
 ing it as soon as the martingale was removed. Once I 
 saw one baulk so badly that he ended by throwing his 
 rider, who was a very good horseman, too ; but, in the 
 conceit of good horsemanship, he thought he could force 
 the animal over with the martingale on. After this very 
 decided hoist, he took my advice and removed it, and the 
 horse went over at once, and I have seen him clear some 
 very nasty ditches, and ridden him over not a few myself." 
 These facts instanced by Carl Benson, are of far greater 
 weight than mere theorizing. The horse, knowing the 
 martingale cramped and fettered him, was afraid to try 
 the leap, if even it was within his j)ower to do it easily. 
 But as soon as the martingale was removed, his confidence 
 returned, and he went boldly over. The trotter requires 
 the full use of himself, as well as the steeple-chase horse 
 or hunter, and is much benefited by being harnessed so 
 that he has all the freedom admissible with being proper- 
 ly secured to the vehicle. My idea, then, is, that ninety- 
 nine in every hundred horses require the martingale to 
 be so long that there will be no friction between the reins 
 and rings, as long as his head is carried in a proper posi- 
 tion, and wiU only act when the head is elevated to an 
 improper height. My remarks are, of course, only appli- 
 caple to the common or running martingale. To the 
 harness horse, the fixed or standing martingale is a posi- 
 tive injury, as I have never seen a case where one was of 
 service. It is rarely seen except in the harnessing of pairs, 
 and I think is mainly used from the fancied improvement 
 in the team's appearance. Some horses have a habit of 
 tossing their heads up, generally for the momentary relief 
 afforded, when the bearing-rein is too tight. The sharp 
 blow the bars of the mouth r(!ceive from the bit, when fast- 
 ened with an unyielding strap, cannot do much good. I 
 have heretofore signified my preference for the Kemble 
 Jackson check, when a horse required his head to be much 
 
 ir 
 
246 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 elevated, and gave my reasons at the time for estimating 
 it above the common one. It is hardly necessary for me 
 to state that I would prefer a horse that needed no extra 
 apphances to trot at his fastest gait, and if I had an ani- 
 mal that would go under aU circumstances better without 
 check rein, martingale, or bhnders, I should certainly not 
 put them on him. But, unfortunately, for one animal of 
 this kind, there are very many that need all these apphan- 
 ces, and it wiU be a matter requiring much study and fre- 
 quent experiments, to know the best manner of applying 
 them, to meet the exigencies of each particular case. 
 
 Fast trotting depending so much on the education, the 
 first lessons are of the greatest moment in determining 
 the habits of a horse ; therefore, if we accustom him to a 
 high check when we commence, the chances are that he 
 will always need its support ; or, should we teach him that 
 a heavy pull is an absolute necessity, when he is trotting 
 fast, then the short martingale is an essential part of the 
 harnessing. The tension is steadier, and remedies, in a 
 measure, what Harry Hieover would call "bad hands." If 
 one could retain the natural delicacy of the horse's mouth 
 during the long time the training of trotters requires, a 
 great point would be gained. The admonitions of the bit 
 would be sooner obeyed, and this powerful monitor would 
 have a tenfold greater effect. Fashion and Miss Foote — 
 two of the greatest mares on the American turf — were as 
 easily placed in their races as though they were reasoning 
 beings, permitting their riders to take every advantage the 
 changing scenes of a four-mile contest afforded, and I am 
 positive in my belief that they wovild not have won half 
 the races they did, if they had been pulled at till all feeling 
 in their mouths was gone. Launcelot, a brother to the 
 celebrated Touchstone, was the very reverse, and his great 
 powers as a race horse were almost rendered nugatory 
 by his determination to run away, only restrainable by a 
 
THE USE OF BLI]SrDEKS. 247 
 
 powerful curb. It is no argument, because some of the 
 best and fastest horses have been great pullers, that 
 it is not a material injury to speed, as it is almost a cer- 
 tainty that they would have gone still faster if easier driven. 
 But even granting that it does not meteriaUy effect the 
 horse, the driver assuredly would be in a better pUght to 
 win, if he had been more at his ease when driving the 
 heat. 
 
 A great deal has been written and said relative to the 
 use of blinders. While the arguments for their discontin- 
 uance are apparently the stronger, I must acknowledge 
 that, in my practice, more horses have gone better with 
 than without them. It is a great point with me to have a 
 bridle " sit weU " on a horse's head ; and if it has not been 
 properly constructed, aU our efforts to adjust it will be fu- 
 tile ; and when well made, the greatest care must be taken 
 that the bit is in the right place, and that the side-j)ieces, 
 and the strap that is attached to the front part of the 
 blinders, are buckled just where they ought to be. The 
 bhnd itself should be of sufficient size to completely hide 
 from the horse everything that is behind him, and con- 
 fine his range of vision so that it will be circumscribed by 
 about sixty degrees, or the sixth part of a circle. This 
 will give the blind flare enough, so that it will merely 
 shade the eye, without the least possible chance of injuring 
 it by pressure, or by want of circulation of air. I find that 
 horses driven with an open bridle are not so attentive to 
 their business, watching everything that comes under their 
 observation, and paying particular attention to every mo- 
 tion their driver makes. While I am willing to gratify 
 this propensity, when it does not interfere with the lessons 
 I am giving, I want to control it when in the harness, and 
 prefer at that time to have the undivided attention of my 
 pupils. Each horse should have his own bridle. To have 
 a harness apiece would still be better, but this would in- 
 
248 HOESE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 crease tlie cost of fixtures so mucli that in a large stable 
 the amount necessary to equip the horses would be quite 
 onerous, Horses that are nearly of a size can be used in 
 the same harness, without much change. Horses, how- 
 ever, with the same sized heads might not be suited to 
 the same bridle. The angle of the hps might be deeper 
 in the one, and the eyes nearer the poll in the other, thus 
 requiring a change in the length of the billet that holds 
 the bit. The bit itself should also be adapted to the 
 wants of the horse, and the bearing-rein always of the 
 length thought best. 
 
 Pupil. — In breaking colts, I have found it advisable to 
 accustom them to both bhnd and open bridles, and have 
 discovered that while one could hardly be harnessed with 
 Ills eyes partially bhnded, another would go more quickly 
 vrhen he could only see ahead. Extremely nervous or 
 timid colts are more easily broken with an open bridle, 
 vihile those that shy, I find, are less liable to do so with 
 I ilinders. I have a large, strong, -thoroughbred colt, three 
 J ears old, that I got from an old friend of mine, who had 
 f (iffered him to grow to that age without his ever having 
 }ieen in a stable. When I saw him, he was tied up with a 
 f trong halter ; and as I noticed he did not lilce the ap- 
 proach of a stranger, I contented myself with admiring his 
 well-knit frame, and a general wiriuess of *form that deno- 
 ted his breeding and activity. I bargained for half of 
 him, the old gentlemen being determined to retain the oth- 
 er moiety. He brought him to my place when he had fin- 
 ished planting his corn, leading him beside a large mule 
 that had been a playmate of the colt's when both were 
 running out. He had not become much more sociable 
 than when I first saw him, but would trot alongside the 
 mule, showing a gait "that pleased me exceeduigly." Hav- 
 ing traveled some thirty miles that day, the conclusion 
 was that he would be a little tired, and would not be so 
 
BLINDERS IN BREAKING COLTS. 249 
 
 troublesome to harness as when fresher. I put a bhnd 
 bridle on him, when not another strap woiild he permit 
 to touch him, nor would he allow a hand even to be placed 
 on his neck. We took the bridle off, and replaced it with 
 an open one, when we found him no more trouble to har- 
 ness than colts usually are. He bounced about when first 
 driven on the track, yet it was not long before he became 
 reconciled to the hold-backs and breeching danghng about 
 his quarters. After several days' practice with the har- 
 ness on, I thought it time to put him in the shafts. He 
 became perfectly frantic at the approach of the sulky. 
 When we pulled it along in front of him, he would rest his 
 nose on the seat, perfectly fearless in that position ; yet 
 the moment he was brought before it he became as wild 
 as ever. 
 
 Quite a time elapsed before we attempted to put him in 
 the shafts again, practicing him daily by leading him 
 alongside and behind the sulky. When we did, we got 
 him in without a great deal of bother ; I did not think it 
 advisable to fasten him further than merely placing the 
 points of the shafts in the loops, a man on each side hold- 
 ing him by the bit, and with the other hand keej)ing the 
 shaft in its place, so that, should he become frightened, we 
 could push the shafts back, and he would be free. He 
 walked very quietly for a couple of hundred yards, and I 
 was congratulating myseM that the worst was past, when, 
 without any warning, he bounded as furiously as though 
 he had been struck a severe blow with a whip. We held 
 on, thinking after a leap or two he would become tranqui- 
 lized ; but seeing him lay back his ears on his poll, and 
 being fearful that he would kick, we shoved the sulky back. 
 We again resumed leading him near the sulky, and I made 
 up my mind that when we attempted to hitch him again, 
 I would fasten him to the sulky, as I thought we had 
 made a mistake in not doing so before. So I strapped up 
 
250 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 his fore leg, and took him in a smooth field inside of the 
 track ; we could not j)ull the sulky up behind him, as on 
 its approach he would spring around in spite of the efforts 
 of two men at his bit; so we laid the shafts across his back, 
 and by carrying the wheels around, got him in position. 
 As soon as the traces and false girth were fastened, we 
 secured the kicking-straps, one being placed across the 
 coupling, and the other just above the setting on of the 
 tail, the ends buckled securely round the shafts. On 
 moving him — with the leg still up — he commenced kicking 
 as violently as his cramped situation would permit. It 
 was as much as a man could do to hold the sulky down 
 with all the leverage his grasp of the hind cross-bar gave 
 him. The colt then succeeded in slightly splintering the 
 whiffletree bar. We brought him on the track, drove him 
 on three legs till he ought to have been subdued, but, see- 
 ing no sign of it, I became apprehensive of injuring the 
 fore leg that was doing all the work, and let the other 
 down, taking the precaution to fasten a strap to his fet- 
 lock and over the shaft, so that the foot could be pulled 
 up at pleasure. It would be tedious to recount the work 
 we gave him for the ensuing three weeks ; but we got him 
 so that we could harness and hitch him without difficulty, 
 and he would usually drive quietly. 
 
 His education was progressing so very favorably that 
 when leaving home, I directed the young man who assisted 
 me to break him — and who is as good a hand to work 
 with colts as I ever saw — to drive him daily. One very 
 windy day he became frightened, broke the water-hook of 
 the harness, enabling him to get his head down, and he 
 began kicking so furiously that he threw the driver out 
 of the sulky. The kicking-straps, fortunately, holding, 
 drew the axle up out of the way of his legs. The man was 
 unable to hold him, and away he went. After he ran a 
 short distance, he stopped kicking, and cantered quickly 
 
PRlEPAEING FEED. 251 
 
 up to tbe gate by the stable, where he suffered himself to 
 be caught. Nothing was broken save the water-hook; so, 
 refastening the check, the man drove him several times 
 around the track, going more quietly than he had ever 
 done before. I learned afterward that, to halter him, 
 they got him into an old log stable, cramped him up in a 
 corner of it with poles, where they had a regular battle 
 royal, the colt coming out victorious, after having been 
 scratched all up with the knots on the poles. His antip- 
 athy to the blind bridle resulted from his being severely 
 punished with one on to make him tractable, and I very 
 much doubt whether it will ever be possible to drive hun 
 with blinds. His not being able to hurt himself, from the 
 kicking-straps throwing the sulky out of the way, and the 
 harness and vehicle being strong enough not to break in 
 the fracas, had a beneficial effect, which was shown by his 
 exhibiting less fear at the approach of the sulky after- 
 ward. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — Kicking-straps alone will not hold a reso- 
 lute, strong horse, if he gets his head down. With it up, 
 his power to do mischief is very limited. We will go to 
 the stable, and while you are jogging those you did not 
 work this morning, I will superintend the cleaning and 
 preparation of feed. This has not been necessary hereto- 
 fore, the horses having all been fed at the same time. 
 When the ratthng of the sieve was heard, their uneasiness 
 was soon relieved by getting their respective portions. 
 Now, to get along with the driving as we ought to, we will 
 have to postpone the feeding of those that are exercising 
 near the feeding-time, and it is important that those who 
 are eating should not disturb the others in the stable. 
 With the feed prepared, it can be given without noise 
 Good, clean, sound oats, one or two years old, that have 
 been kept in the stack long enough, before thrashing, to 
 
252 HOKSE POETEAITIJEE. 
 
 sweat thoroughly, and weighing from thirty-five to forty 
 pounds to the measured bushel, is the first consideration. 
 We Avill use a strongly made forty-gallon cask, and put 
 in it two bushels of oats, two of the boys, with shovels or 
 spades, striking alternate blows, or rather chopping, till 
 all the husks are loosened, that can be by this operation. 
 When sufficiently chopped, carry to the green, and, spread- 
 ing a hnse;>" or sheet, let the oats fall slowly from pans 
 elevated as high as the boys can hold them. The breeze 
 that is now exposing the silver hning of the leaves of that 
 beautiful poplai-, is just strong enough to blow away all 
 of the dust and light grains, so the portion retained is 
 both heavy and clean. We will now take six quarts of 
 hominy — the proportion will be greater hereafter — and 
 after fanning all of the mealy particles out of it thoroughly, 
 incorporate it with the oats on the hnsey. To eflect this, 
 the boys will take the sheet by the corners, and by tossing 
 it backward and forward, the union is soon accomplished. 
 The work is continued till the receptacles intended for the 
 reception of this mixed feed are filled. Another is filled 
 with cleaned oats alone, and still another with prepared 
 hominy. A barrel or two filled with bright ears of corn, and 
 a box of bran complete this ; art of the commissary. We 
 can then feed a horse whatever we desire, without waiting 
 for preparation, and there is no rattling of the sieve to 
 annoy those we do not wish disturbed. The best bran for 
 oui" pui-pose is that obtained from winter wheat. The 
 flinty husk enveloping the kernel on this is thinner and 
 more easily separated from the floui-. There is less nutii- 
 raent, of course, than in the bran of spring wheat, but 
 nutriment is not what we want. We will use oat-meal or 
 sago for gruels, the mashes intended to slightly iriitate 
 the inner coating of the stomach and intestines, causing 
 them to secrete more of the watery fluid, thus softening 
 tlie evacuations. 
 
MIXING HOMINY AND OATS. 253 
 
 The feed room must be kept strictly under lock and key, 
 and the boys never suffered to measui-e the feed. The 
 foreman will give them the amount each horse is to have ; 
 and if I had not full confidence in his attending to this 
 part of his duty, I should carry the key myself, even if it 
 necessitated my attendance at the stable for every feed. 
 Grooms becoming attached to the horses they are taking 
 care of, are very apt to feed them more than they are told, 
 and this mistaken kindness I have known followed by 
 serious consequences. I will not detain you any longer 
 from driving ; by the time you get through, the horses 
 will have to go out for their walk. 
 
 Pupil. — The young things are done with. When driv- 
 ing I was cogitating over your manner of feeding, and am 
 anxious to learn why you prefer mixing the hominy and 
 oats together, and why you increase the proportion of 
 hominy as the horses take sharper work. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — We have hardly time now to discuss the 
 effects of the different kinds of grain on the health of the 
 horse. It is a matter I have thought a great deal about, 
 yet I cannot flatter myself that I am capable of throwing 
 much light on the subject. Oats are said to be the natu- 
 ral food of the horse. Why they are claimed to be their 
 natural aliment would be difficult to tell. If the horse 
 originated in the East, as is generally believed, he must 
 have been dieted on something else, as oats were not 
 grown there at aU. Oats have the thickest husk of any of 
 the cereals with which I am acquainted, there being only 
 eight pounds of flour to fourteen of grain, while there are 
 twelve of barley and thirteen of wheat in the same quan- 
 tity. Corn has still less bran, and if a horse were confined 
 to any one of these grains in a whole state, the greater 
 bulk of oats to their weight might make them easier of 
 digestion. 
 
 But I wiU give you some of the reasons why I mix oats 
 
254 HORSE PORTRAITFEE. 
 
 and hominy. There is more nutriment in the same bulk ; 
 they are easier digested than when fed separately ; most 
 horses Hke the mixture better, and will eat it when then 
 they would mince over oats alone. Corn, being more laxa- 
 tive than oats, has to be used with discretion, and I have 
 known trainers to err in giving it to animals that would 
 have been better without it. Washy, delicate horses, 
 which can hardly take work enough to learn to trot even 
 without going off their feed, with such a fidgety, nervous 
 organization that any noise or change will discompose 
 them, that scour when they are the least excited, that never 
 need to be sweated under any circumstances, ought never 
 to be fed corn or mashes. AU will agree with me that 
 bran ought not to be fed to such as these ; but a majority 
 will say, Why, these are the very subjects that ought to have 
 corn ; it will increase their strength, being stronger food, 
 and you can often get them to eat an ear or two of corn 
 when they would not touch the oats. The English prac- 
 tice of feeding beans, universally recommended by their 
 best trainers for the washy, hght-waisted fellows, will be 
 instanced ; and it will be argued, that, because beans and 
 corn are of about the same specific gravity, they are ana- 
 logous in their results. Beans have a constipating ten- 
 dency, which makes them a proper corrective for the lax 
 constitution, while corn increases the evil. 
 
 We will have to take a more fitting time, however, to 
 consider the question of aUment, which is a very impor- 
 tant one. 
 
 I will now leave you, having some business in town 
 which requires my attention. Treat Never Mind as you 
 did last night allowing him to graze half an hour. I will 
 not be here veiy early in the morning, but I do not want 
 you to drive him till I come. As we have now every 
 prospect of good weather, I do not think there will be 
 
PEEPARING FOR THE SWEAT. 255 
 
 anything to interfere with the contemplated sweat, day 
 after to-morrow. 
 
 Think of all you can that will have a bearing on the 
 question of the utihty of this means of depletion, and 
 we will try to obtain mutual advantage from the dis- 
 cussion. 
 
CHAPTEE XIX. 
 
 OBJECTS ( F SWEATING — HOW FAT IMPEDES THE ACTION OP THH 
 
 HEART AND LUNGS — MANNER OP REMOVING IT — RACES LOST 
 
 BY SUPPRESSED PERSPIRATION. 
 
 Preceptor. — I am later in making my appearance this 
 morning than I expected, and came very near being the 
 cause of delaying Never Mind's work longer than would 
 have been politic. 
 
 Pupil. — The boy has given him an hour's walk, which I 
 took the responsibility of ordering. 
 
 Preceptor. — That was correct. We can hardly over- 
 estimate the importance of being regular in the time of 
 working a horse. Trotters, perhaps, can be allowed more 
 latitude in this particular than race horses, yet the benefit 
 they experience by taking their exercises at a definite hoiu' 
 well repays exactness in dividing our time. Thei'e is no 
 business in which regularity and order are more impera- 
 tively demanded than that of training horses. It is very 
 true we cannot reduce it to a question of performing a 
 routine of duties at the same hour and minute of the day. 
 K this were the case, training would be a simple concern, 
 capable of being done by every one who is energetic and 
 systematic. Rules could be laid down which, if followed, 
 would certainly result in success, when, in truth, the great 
 art in training is, when to change the work, feed, &c., ac- 
 cording to the wants of the horse. It might be good po- 
 licy with some horses, indeed, to change the hour of their 
 
PRECEDING THE SWEAT. 257 
 
 work, tlie same as we frequently find the benefit of giving 
 them their exercise in a different locahty. The brown fel- 
 low, I expect, has the harness on. Hitch him to the sulky, 
 jog him quietly twice round the track ; the third time let 
 him go about a four-minute gait, till you get half way 
 down the stretch, when you can drive him nearly to the 
 top of his speed to the stand ; pull him up on the turn, 
 as I want to see how he breathes. You can then jog him 
 leisurely the reverse way of the track, twice round, and 
 drive him to the barn. 
 
 Pupil. — I hope I followed the directions to your satis- 
 faction. He was eager to go when allowed to move faster 
 than was customary, and he did not half like being pulled 
 up after so short a brush. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Your driving was worthy of commendation, 
 and the horse performed even better than I anticipated. 
 The action of his lungs and heart is very much impeded 
 by inside fat, and to have kej)t him at the same sj)eed, 
 that you drove the two hundred yards for half or three- 
 quarters of a mile, would have overworked him, and caused 
 serious injury. He has speed enough to trot in the very 
 best company ; and with a moderate share of good luck, I 
 think we will be successful in his preparation. The rea- 
 sons I had for directing you to open him that short dis- 
 tance, I will give you in the conversation we will have 
 on sweating, its efiects and uses. Your presence not be- 
 ing required at the stable till after dinner, we will go to 
 the house, where our seat on the piazza will be more com- 
 fortable, and where our attention will not be so likely to 
 be distracted as when in the immediate neighborhood of 
 the horses. Jane and the Falcon, I suppose, worked 
 kindly. 
 
 Pupil. — Neither of them gave me any trouble, but I 
 would not like to bet on being able to pull Madam Jane 
 
258 HORSE PORrRAITURE. 
 
 up in so short a space as I did Never Mind, after allo-wing 
 her to get nearly to her best speed. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — We will have her as obedient as any of 
 them, before we call on her to display her speed even for 
 a short distance, and I feel safe in assuring you that she 
 will be less trouble on that score than the one you have 
 just driven. The bay mare's faults are those that have 
 been engendered by bad handling ; her natural disposition 
 is better than that of Never Mind, and her phrenological 
 developments are certainly much superior. 
 
 Pupil. — I think the long joiu-ney has been an advantage 
 to the Falcon as well as King. He never drove as kindly 
 on the track as he has since he has been here. 
 
 Preceptor. — In place of ascribing the improvement to 
 the journey on the cars, is it not more likely to follow 
 your own improved skill in driving him ? It is not very 
 flattering to our self-love to admit that we are more to 
 blame than the horses, yet nine cases in ten it wiU 
 prove so. 
 
 Here we are comfortably seated, and have time enough 
 before dinner to say a good deal on the topic we are going 
 to discuss. Should I advance any ideas that are not clearly 
 understood, or that you differ fi-om in opinion, do not hes- 
 itate to inten'upt me, so as to have the matter stated in 
 a clearer hght, or show by argument that the grounds I 
 take are untenable. 
 
 The natural outlets of the body are the skin, bowels, and 
 kidneys. With their aid we get rid, of what the old train- 
 ers called the waste and spare. We can increase the action 
 of all of them by articles given as food or medicine. The 
 evacuations through the numerous pores of the skin are 
 what we call sweating, the effects of which — when properly 
 ised — being to bring a horse into such a state, called con- 
 dition, that he can do, without injury, what would be an 
 impossibility for him to perform without its aid. I have 
 
KNOWLEDGE OF AN^ATOMY. 259 
 
 signified my objections to stimulating the bowels and kid- 
 neys by cathartics and diuretics as aids of training, and I 
 must, necessarily, show that condition can be acquired 
 without their help. Sweating has two distinct things to 
 perform : the first, to give freedom to the respiratory or- 
 gans and the action of the heart, which we may call inter- 
 nal relief; the second, to promote the strength and activity 
 of the muscles, and lighten the load to be carried, which, 
 with t}ie same propriety, may be termed external rehef. 
 The organs of respiration are the lungs, bronchial tubes, 
 trachea or windpipe, glottis or valve, at the extremity of 
 the trachea, nasal passages and nostrils. Knowing that I 
 am incapable, it would be foolish in me to attempt a lecture 
 on hippophysiology, and in ofifering the remarks I am go- 
 ing to make, I do not present them as being scientifically 
 correct. I lament greatly the want of a suitable knowledge 
 of anatomy and physiology, which would have hghtened 
 my labor in many instances, and when I have been groping 
 in the dark, uncertain whether the little glimmer I could 
 discover was a scintillation which could be depended on, 
 or a false Hght that would lead me further astray, the pos- 
 session of this knowledge would have enabled me to detect 
 the imposture, and pursue the right course without the loss 
 of time. If it were my intention to continue in the busi- 
 ness of training horses I would, notwithstanding my age 
 — which makes it harder work to learn — devote a portion 
 of my time to this study which I have neglected, and by 
 enrolling myself in the class of some competent instructor 
 in veterinary science, try to rectify the want by rigid study, 
 especially in those branches pertaining to respiration. 
 
 It requires study to understand the workings of the or- 
 gans of circulation and breathing, and I must admit that 
 I am not capable of understanding any of the treatises 
 that I have read on this subject sufficiently to explain them, 
 or to make them even as intelligible to you as they are to 
 
260 HOKSE PORTKAITUEE. 
 
 myself. I would urge you to take the first opportunity of 
 acquiring a scientific education, so far as may be necessai-y 
 to know the physiological and anatomical structure of the 
 animals you expect to breed and train. "VMien the winter- 
 season puts a stop to practical training, join a class of ve- 
 terinary students, and acquaint the teacher of what you 
 want to learn, when he will order a course of study that 
 will be of the greatest importance to you hereafter. Doubt- 
 less when you acquire this information you will look back 
 to our present conversation, and see many errors, though 
 the deductions drawn from the statements I am going to make 
 I know to he correct. They have been demonstrated by my 
 practice, and since I have followed my present plan of 
 sweating I have never had a horse become baked or fever- 
 ish, which was frequently the case when I sweated them, 
 without thinking of the causes why it should be done, or 
 was aware of the results that might be expected to follow. 
 The action of the heart is so much identified with the 
 lungs that both have to be taken into consideration. 
 Quicken the motion of the one, and you accelerate the 
 other, but not in the same proportion. For instance, when 
 a horse is breathing tranquilly, the respirations are from 
 four to eight in a minute, and the pulsations thii-ty-six to 
 forty. As you increase the motion of the lungs by fast 
 work, the respirations will be multiphed, till the ratio will 
 be as one to two, possibly two to three. Suppose that, in 
 driving Never Mind, you had kept up the rate of speed 
 you took in the brush, until he became distressed. The 
 respu'ations would probably have been forty or forty-five 
 times in a minute, with the pulsations at seventy-five to 
 eighty. The inspirations at times would be a good deal 
 longer than the expirations, frequently sighing and "blow- 
 ing out" suddenly. This would arise from the amount of 
 adipose matter interfering with the heart and lungs, re- 
 stricting the fii'st, and enfeebling the others ; and it would 
 
THE EESPIEATOET ORGAlSrS. 261 
 
 be a long time before lie would recover, and the circulation 
 and breathing be restored to tlieir natural condition. We 
 will also suppose that lie became thus distressed in going 
 half or three-quarters of a mile. We get rid of the super- 
 fluities, and drive him till he exhibits great fatigue, having 
 gone perhaps two or three miles. The respirations have 
 increased to two-thirds of the throbs of the heart. Still 
 the expirations and inspirations are nearly equal, and there 
 is very httle if any sighing. He blows out freely and for- 
 cibly, recovering the natural breathing in much less time 
 than before. In the first case he would have been " dead 
 beat ; " in the second, by taking a pull, and easing him for 
 a short time, he would " come again," and make another 
 struggle. This would show that rapid resj)iration and 
 arterial action can be kept up if the organs are in a proper 
 state. The main muscle acting on the lungs, and assisting 
 in respiration, is the diaphragm. In forcible expiration 
 the abdominal muscles act with great power. It will be 
 useless to take much time to show that if an excessive de- 
 posit of fat exists, their aid will be much diminished. Fat 
 within the chest is laid in layers beneath the serous coat- 
 ing, and about the base of the heart. It materially affects 
 the breathing by encroaching on the pulmonary chamber, 
 and interfering with the expansion of the lungs, so that 
 the minute air cells cannot be filled to the extent of their 
 capacity as they can when freed fi'om this obstruction. If 
 the heart is healthy, there is room within the pericardium 
 for all of its motions, contraction and expansion not being 
 greatly restricted by the outside coating of fat. But this 
 coating does effect the equahzation, or rhythm of the puls- 
 ations, when the action is hurried, so it becomes necessary 
 to remove the obstruction here as elsewhere. 
 
 The change in the blood, from the time it leaves the 
 heart by the arteries, till it is returned by the veins, after 
 having been aerated in the lungs, is a wonderful provision 
 
 12 
 
262 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 of nature for it to obtain properties from the atmosphere 
 essential to the existence of hfe. The passage of the blood 
 to the extremities of the vessels that convey it, is accom- 
 panied, in sweating, by another phenomenon, viz., the for- 
 cing of the moisture through the pores of the skin, which 
 we call sweat. In the evacuations from the bowels and 
 kidneys there is never a particle of fat, and the emaciation 
 following purging or excessive staling is not due to fat 
 being carried from the body directly, but to causes result- 
 ing therefrom. In exudation, however, the oily part of 
 the blood is got rid of, as well as the watery fluid that ac- 
 companies it. You wiU perceive, when a horse takes his 
 first sweats, the moisture is of a thick, unctuous nature, 
 forming a lather like soap when it meets with fi-iction 
 from the clothes or harness. As the horse's body becomes 
 freed from impurities, the sweat becomes thinner and 
 clearer, finally, having the appearance of clean water, as 
 it trickles down his legs. The skin, then, appears to be 
 the most direct way of getting rid of the fat, and not only 
 the most direct, but the most natural. 
 
 The consequence of the fall of man was, that his bread 
 should be obtained by labor — "the sweat of the brow" 
 was to be the lot of all of the descendants of Adam ; and 
 let horse or man be required to exert himself sufficiently, 
 the hindrances to that exertion are got rid of by those 
 natural outlets, the pores of the skin. 
 
 The fat, in the first place, having been deposited by the 
 blood, the loss of the oily portion in sweating is replaced 
 by the absorbants working on the surplus in store, remov- 
 ing it from where the original deposit was made ; and as 
 the sweatings are continued, exhausting all that we desire 
 to get rid of. There are probably other changes that take 
 place in the blood, one being a greater degree of fluidity, 
 perhaps occasioned by an increase of heat. It would ap- 
 pear that the abstraction of the watery particles would 
 
REMOVAL OF INSIDE FAT. 263 
 
 have a contrary effect, yet I ani satisfied that this is coun- 
 teracted by an opposing force, which I cannot explain, 
 rendering the arteries and veins less liable to engorgement 
 than when the circulating fluid had properties which made 
 it more difficult to propel through them. From the relief 
 afforded by copious and repeated sweatings, we might 
 infer, that the abstraction of the fatty globules in the 
 blood was the means of lessening the labor of the heart, 
 which is of the greatest importance when the blood is sent 
 bounding along more than twice as fast as when the ani- 
 mal is at rest. The theory that the pulsation keeps time 
 to the step, is, I believe, correct when the action is much 
 hurried. Hence, when a horse is making a fraction more 
 than two bounds in a second, the work of the heart is 
 greatly increased, and the labor of that vital force-pump 
 would be much lessened by the blood being easier to urge 
 through the tubing of the veins, as fast as the acceler-ated 
 pace required that it should be. 
 
 It wiU readily be seen that nearly all the inside fa< will 
 have to be got away before the respirating organs are 
 capable of performing their functions in a manner that 
 will endure fast work. The heart is also facilitated iv its 
 operations by the removal, and the diaphragm and abvlo- 
 minal muscles can act with far greater force, the whole 
 internal economy is in a manner changed, the muscles of 
 the stomach are strengthened, and digestion is better and 
 more rapid. The gastric juices are more intimately blend- 
 ed with the contents of the stomach, and the waste for 
 the bowels to carry off is less acrid and easier expelled. 
 We will also find that the same process will get .id of the 
 external fat, and while the load is lightened fcx' the horse 
 to carry, and the muscular system is broug^' o to a higher 
 state of vigor, it also assists in the ey.pansion of the 
 chest. The intercostal muscles or the mT'.scles between the 
 ribs have a good deal to do with respirr.don, and the i-educ- 
 
264 HOARSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 tion of the neck removes the unnecessary load of fat which 
 siUTOunds the windpij)e, giving more room for it to convey 
 the air to the bronchial tubes, and through them to the 
 lungs. I have just said that the same process gets rid of 
 fatj wherever it is deposited, either among the internal 
 viscera, or where it surrounds the muscles. This is so. 
 yet we can modify it in practice, so that the effects will be 
 greater in absorbing the interior than the exterior deposit. 
 
 This is the first thing to be done. Till we remove from 
 the lungs and heart the adipose deposit that hinders their 
 working, we cannot give exercise enough to be of much 
 benefit to the muscles of locomotion. The first sweats, 
 then, will have to be given independent of speed, which 
 these organs are yet unable to endure. In England, it is 
 well known that if a horse used for hunting becomes much 
 tired, he will never after be as good as he was. No matter 
 how long the interval of rest, his imj)aired powers can 
 never be recuperated. In all probability the injury is to 
 the Ixmgs ; in the excitement of the chase, the symptoms 
 of being exhausted are overlooked, and animals are forced 
 to struggle along till their structure is injured. We are 
 all aware how much more acute the sufferings are from 
 the exhaustion of the lungs, than the tiring of the muscles. 
 Thus nature warns us of the greater danger attending the 
 overworking of them. The sweating of Never Mind to- 
 mo^Tow will be a practical exemplification of the mode I 
 adopt to relieve the respiratory organs, so there will be 
 no need of dilating on the plan to be followed to accom- 
 plish tl 's end. We have in a cursory manner glanced at 
 the effects of sweating on the internal organs ; we will 
 afterwards discuss its merits in relieving a horse, when in 
 distress from rapid work. 
 
 The questioii3 attending sweating for the outward for- 
 mation are not si complicated. The muscles are masses 
 
 of elastic fibres, teiTninated by the tendons on which they 
 
 t 
 
BENEFIT TO THE MU^O". ES. 265 
 
 act by contraction and relaxation. Thus while one set 
 exert theii* force in one direction by contraction, the oppo- 
 site are lenghtened so as not to interfere with the power 
 applied. Some run parallel with the tendons, others cross 
 these in an oblique direction, and still others at nearly 
 right angles to the first. The fat is deposited where they 
 overlap each other, filling up the interstices and giving 
 prominence to the muscles by pushing the outside one 
 out. In a very fat horse, there is a further deposit of adi- 
 pose matter between the skin and the body, sometimes 
 covering the muscles of the ribs to quite a depth. This is 
 entirely useless, while that in the interstices has a duty to 
 perform of great importance, viz., lubricating the fibres so 
 that the friction at the points of attrition is much lessened. 
 The muscles are completely filled with a network of blood- 
 vessels, their ramifications being so extensive that the eye 
 is unable to detect their presence. The muscles become 
 harder and more tendinous as they are made to perform 
 active duty, till what was a pulpy, fleshy mass, becomes 
 fined down to a strong, elastic substance, very different 
 and much more suitable to the necessities of rapid pro- 
 gression. This change takes place as the result of exer- 
 cise, and does not follow the removal of the fat, when that 
 removal is dependent on other agencies than muscular 
 exertion. While the Roman or hot-air bath would be a 
 very proper and powerful auxiliary in removing interior 
 and exterior fatty matter in the first stages of preparation, 
 its services could never further this change of the muscu- 
 lar system. Exercise is the only means of effecting it, 
 and the amount of work best adapted to effect this end is 
 varied in almost every animal that has to undergo the 
 conditioning process. The first sweats, however, are 
 nearly identical in all horses having* the same amount of 
 extraneous matter to remove, so that we will be less likely 
 to err in this stage than when we make a racing pace one 
 
266 HO^SE PORTRAITTJEE. 
 
 of the concomitants of sweating. The removal of the fat 
 in the cavities formed by the lapping or crossing of the 
 muscles is a question of time, and much injury would re- 
 sult fi'om attempting to get rid of it sooner than is pru- 
 dent. It must never be completely eradicated, as there 
 must not only be a sufficiency left for lubrication, but a 
 surplus that will meet any extra call that exertion, pro- 
 tracted longer than we looked, for, wiU entail. As the fat 
 is wasted, there ought to be a projDortional increase of 
 muscle, which wiU invariably be the case if the minutiaB 
 of training have been carefully attended to. 
 
 Sweating under clothes has also a local effect. This is 
 an advantage which no other system of depletion can 
 boast of, and the benefits of which can hardly be over- 
 estimated. If it were otherwise, we would be compelled 
 to bring one part of the liorse's body much lower than we 
 would like it, in order that some other part might be in a 
 situation to stand the effects of fast work. To exemplify 
 this, we will instance the effects of sweating on the neck, 
 chest, and loin. The difference in the necks of horses in 
 a natural state is very marked. In one we will find the 
 long, delicate neck, perhaps a little drooping in front of 
 the withers, so small at the junction of the head that you 
 could nearly encircle it with your hands. The next is 
 larger at the shoulders, fuller in the crest, but equally as 
 well cut out in the throttle, and better at the joining of 
 the head. The third is larger everywhere, and short, 
 thicker even at the throat-latch than the first was at the 
 shoulder, with a crest so thick and flabby that it hangs 
 over on one side. The jowls are also covered with meat, 
 and, what is much worse, the space between the jaws is 
 also filled with flesh and enlarged glands. 
 
 While size may be a measui-e of power in other parts 
 of the body, an overgrown neck is a sure mark of inabihty 
 to sustain a fast pace, not alone fi'om interfering with the 
 
LOCAL SWEATING. 267 
 
 free passage of air in the breathing-tubes, and the free 
 passage of blood through the jugular veins and carotid 
 arteries, but the extra weight to be carried is in the very 
 worst place for the ease of the horse. It would be a safe 
 estimate that the last described neck would weigh fifty 
 pounds more than the second, and more than double as 
 much as the first. If these horses were identical in every 
 other particular, there would be a vast preponderance in 
 favor of the two with lighter necks on that score alone. 
 But when we come to consider the effects on the breath- 
 ing apparatus, and the stricture on the return of the blood 
 from the brain, we will be convinced that the large-necked 
 animal is totally unfit to go any distance fast, without ar- 
 tificial aid to diminish the useless volume of matter in the 
 neck. Now, if we were forced to waste all parts of him 
 alike, it would be evident that we would weaken some 
 portions so much that the balance would be equally as 
 much disturbed, and the part that would fail the most 
 would be the loin. A deep chest, sweUing barrel, and 
 broad loin are generally looked upon as betokening 
 strength of constitution. 
 
 A severe strain of the loin is followed by partial paraly- 
 sis of the hind quarters ; the legs are drawn feebly along, 
 and the animal moves by dragging himself with his fore 
 feet. The whole propelling power of a horse being in his 
 hind quarters, it is evident that anything that will weaken 
 that force will materially retard the velocity with which 
 he is capable of moving. The back-bone is braced with 
 strong fiUets parallel with it and joined to the bony pro- 
 jections, and the large muscles that cover the bony frame- 
 work are heaped up in masses at this point. If we dimi 
 nish their force by repeated sweatings, we lose much with- 
 out any corresponding gain ; so, to reduce the overloaded 
 neck we have recourse to the local application of clothing, 
 and thus effect the object desired. There is nothing Hke 
 
268 HOKSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 the danger of over-sweating the neck there is even in the 
 chest, which will also bear a great deal of reduction. We 
 may reduce the muscles that cover the shoulder-blade too 
 much, but the intercostal and abdominal muscles will bear 
 a diminution of their tissue, if that is necessary, to get rid 
 of the fat in their immediate neighborhood. Of all your 
 horses, the Chpper is the only one that carries a heavy 
 neck, and his is nothing hke so bad as that of many very 
 successful trotters. The "blood" here works to advantage, 
 and I will cheerfully admit that, so far, it is a gTeat and 
 lasting benefit, not only in giving a configuration of neck 
 that is better adapted to speed, but much lessening the 
 work necessary to get the horse in order. 
 
 In saying that we would sweat Never Miad to-morrow, 
 and again in a week fi-om that time, I did not mean to be 
 understood that we would fix on a definite time for sweat- 
 ing. The interval between the sweats will not only vary 
 in the different horses, but the same horses will probably 
 go longer at one period than another between them. 
 Causes that we cannot now foresee will aflfect the ani- 
 mals frequently, and a horse may require to be sweated 
 every few days, or there may be weeks intervening. There 
 is not much use in speculating now on what such causes 
 might be, as undoubtedly we will have a practical illustra- 
 tion of some of them before the season is ended. We will 
 find a great difference in the aptitude to take on flesh by 
 the same horse under apparently the same circumstances. 
 The feeding may be alike ; the driving and exercising the 
 same, — there may not even be any great dissimilarity in 
 the weather; yet we will find that the horse in an unaccount- 
 able manner has accumulated more fat at one time than 
 another. It will be obvious that, ia such a case, the sweats 
 will have to be more frequent than they were. I am not 
 fond of drawing a horse "very fine," as it is termed, when 
 
SEASOKIKG THE FLESH. 269 
 
 that fineness consists in a tucked-up flank and an emacia- 
 ted look. 
 
 The day and night previous to a race, a trial or sweat 
 will generally be found sufficient to curtail the contents 
 of the stomach and bowels so that the work can be given 
 safely. The inside of a horse must "be clean," i. e., free 
 from fat. The neck must also be relieved fi-om weight, 
 and the j)ressure of glandular and muscular fiber must be 
 taken away from the windpipe. The ribs must not be 
 loaded to impede their dilation and contraction as the 
 wants of the lungs require, and the muscles in no part 
 the body must be hindered from acting with fuU force 
 and celerity. Some horses wdll have a more robust, fleshy 
 appearance when in condition than others, and it will re- 
 quire much thought and observation to find out the 
 amount of flesh each one should have when best fitted for 
 arduous labor. 
 
 There is, of course, a distinction to be made in horses 
 going different distances. A horse, however, may be able 
 to trot three miles in as high condition as when in the 
 best form to trot one, but the fl.esh will require a good 
 deal more " seasoning " to go the longer distance. This 
 seasoning must be accomplished without getting the sys- 
 tem in a feverish state ; if that should happen, the flesh 
 will be "baked" and the horse become "stale.' There is 
 usually more danger of this occurring when the horse is 
 trotting in races, than in the exercise preceding them. 
 The much harder work a horse endures in trotting a race 
 is overlooked. The three, five, or more heats are perhaps 
 duly kept in mind, but the scoring, which may have been 
 the most trying part of a race, is unthought of. A horse, 
 when being sweated, meets with careful after-treatment, 
 and all that care and skill can accomplish is performed. 
 The distance intended to be gone over is made, and the 
 flow of perspiration encouraged or checked as the trainer 
 
 12* 
 
270 HOKSE POETEAITUKE. 
 
 thinks best. Between the heats of a race there is not the 
 same oj)portunity. We aim to have the horse ready to 
 resume the contest after a stipulated interval of time, 
 which is greatly prolonged by the difficulty in obtaining 
 a start. The horses rush to the score at their best sj)eed; 
 one is pulled up on the turn ; another goes a full quarter 
 of a "mile, and others are either overworked or become 
 chilled, waiting for the line to be re-formed. 
 
 The duties of men who judge trotting-races are very 
 onerous, and the situation is one of gTeat discomfort, not 
 the least of which is, the trouble of starting the horses, 
 originating from the perversity of the di'ivers. The judges 
 being anxious to give every one a good send-off, try time 
 after time to start them all so level that there will be no 
 room for censure. The drivers aware of this make a great 
 disf)lay of jogging up the stretch, and working for an ad- 
 vantage as they come to the wire. Many of them are not 
 contented with an even start, hoping by delay the patience 
 of the judges will become worn out, and they will finally 
 get an advantage in the send-off. 1 think some of these 
 fellows like to make a display of themselves before the 
 occupants of the stands, and that vanity is theii' ruling 
 passion. In days of yore, when gorgeous livery was worn, 
 and satin, velvet, and silk, embroidered with gold and sil- 
 ver lace, shone in the brightest colors, there might be an 
 excuse for wanting to show their new clothes " with but- 
 tons all over them." But now-a-days, when the shirt 
 sleeves are considered the most appropriate costume to 
 drive a race in, this cannot be the cause. They raust 
 want to show their beauty of face and form, and thereby 
 captivate the fancy o± some of the blooming damsels that 
 grace the coui'se with their presence. There are many 
 trotting-horse drivers that I have never seen, yet, if there 
 be an Adonis among them, I will give more to see him pa- 
 raded than I would to see the eighth wonder of the world. 
 
SWEATING BETWEEN THE HEATS. 271 
 
 A. majority of those I am acquainted with would be en- 
 titled to the knife "Simon Suggs" carried so long, and 
 there is not one that would divert attention from the su- 
 perior beauty of the horse he sits behind. If the judges 
 would insist on the warming-up being done before the 
 time for starting — which should be punctually kept — and 
 not allow the diivers to go above the three in five distance 
 to score, place a steward there to marshal them, and in 
 case of not getting the word, compel them to pull their 
 horses up in a certain specified distance, the annoyance 
 would be greatly modified. This would bring the interval 
 between heats nearly to the time the rule gives, would 
 meet the hearty approbation of the spectators, and greatly 
 increase the attendance at races. 
 
 Pupil. — You have not yet informed me of the reasons 
 why you wanted Never Mind to make the short bi-ush ; 
 and, also, why you required him to be pulled up when he 
 had passed the stand. 
 
 Peeceptob. — My object was to notice how he breathed 
 when the lungs were first required to act a great deal 
 faster than they had been accustomed to. I also wanted to 
 witness the expirations and inspirations, and try if I could 
 obtain any additional light into the cause of the cough, 
 which you ascribe to a shght irritation of the glottis. I 
 think, from his not showing any undue labor in breathing, 
 that your conjecture is right. If it arises from a chronic 
 disease of the lungs there would have been more abdomi- 
 nal labor in the expirations. The brush was so short that 
 healthy lungs would not show any want of power to per- 
 form the task required of them; but restricted as they were 
 by fat, any organic defect would have been apparent. The 
 day before sweating I always like to give fast work in pro- 
 portion to the condition of the animal to perform it. I 
 think that the lungs being called into action at that time, 
 is favorable to the exertion of them in the sweat, and no 
 
272 HOESE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 matter liow slowly we work a horse to start a flow of per- 
 spiration, you will perceive that the breathing wiU be very 
 much accelerated. 
 
 Pupil. — There is another point I desu'e miTch to have 
 explained — the effect of inducing copious persj)ii-ation in 
 the interval between the heats. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — And a very important subject that is, as 
 numerous races are lost by a want of knowledge in this 
 particular. There are many things in relation to sweating 
 that I have not touched ujDon yet, intending to notice 
 them as they actually come in practice. We cannot give 
 the subject too much thought, however, as I have implicit 
 confidence in the benefits oi forced perspii-ation, but which 
 may utterly fi-ustrate the very best management, if not 
 rightly controlled. I have attempted to show that a fast 
 pace is accompanied by rapid action of the heart and 
 lungs. The heart has to beat quickly to furnish the mus- 
 cles with the blood required for them, in their rapid con- 
 *a."actions and expansions. The lungs must move quickly, 
 ■n order that the blood shall become properly aerated, 
 (.(iving oif the carbon which is expelled in expiration, and 
 mbibing the oxygen which inspiration furnishes. In this 
 -'apid transfer of the blood through the lungs to the ex- 
 tremities, and back to the heart, a great deal of heat is 
 evolved, which ought to be removed to the surface, where 
 it is dissij)ated in the atmosphere. This must be done by 
 the blood throwing off the watery portion through the 
 pores of the skin. The evaporation reduces the heat of 
 the body, and relieves the internal organs. The change in 
 the blood itself — formerly spoken of — which renders it 
 easier to be driven through the arterial system, also 
 gTeatly assists in relieving the labored action of the heart. 
 It is evident, then, that if a horse performs the labor that 
 ought to induce fi-ee perspu-ation, and he does not sweat, 
 there must be gi'eat internal suffering, and which caimot 
 
SWEATING BETWEEN THE HEATS. 273 
 
 be speedily relieved in any other manner. It would also be 
 evident that if a horse were in this situation, relief would 
 not follow his being kejDt in a quiescent state. That would 
 aggravate the difficulty, especially if the theory of the syn- 
 chronism of the pulse and step be correct. 
 
 Should a vehicle, that is going at the rate of twenty 
 miles an hour, be brought to a full stop, its contents — ^if 
 not fastened to it — keeps up the same rate tUl the force 
 of gTavitation arrests the momentum, by bringing the 
 body to the ground. In a hke manner, arresting the ra- 
 pid motion of the blood would be attended with very 
 serious results. Any one can satisfy himself of the truth 
 of this assumption, by running rapidly till his accelerated 
 breathing occasions distress. He cannot sit down and 
 remain passive ; the suffering is unendurable in that po- 
 sition, and he is forced by his feehngs to keep moving, till 
 the circulation and breathing are moderated by degrees. 
 A horse is pulled up after a heat ; the heaving flank, qui- 
 vering nostril and distended eyelids show distress, while 
 the surface is hardly moistened with perspiration. It 
 would be madness to stop the horse in this situation ; he 
 must be clothed — not too heavily — cantered or trotted 
 slowly, till the circulation and respiration are partially 
 restored and then blankets thrown on till a good scrape 
 is obtained. 
 
 In remarking that the horse must not be clothed too 
 heavily, I want to have you understand that there is a 
 projier medium to be observed, so as to induce free per- 
 spiration. It is a mistaken notion that the more clothes 
 a horse is "wrapped in, the more likely he will be to sweat. 
 I presume your western experience has made you familiar 
 with the "fever and ague," and if fortunate enough to 
 have esca^Ded the scourge yourself you have witnessed 
 others overtaken with the " chills." The first stage is the 
 cold, shivering one ; the second, the burning fever, in which 
 
274 HOESE POETKAITURE. 
 
 the sufferer drinks a great deal of cold water, which, redu- 
 cing the heat, finally brings the body to a proper tempera- 
 tm'e, and copious perspiration follows, relieving the pa- 
 tient from the sharp pains that have been shooting from 
 his head through every bone in his body. Although ex- 
 treme lassitude is felt, this sweating stage terminates the 
 attack. 
 
 When the sweat has fairly broken out, the extra clothes 
 can be jjut on, which will prolong the flow, and guard 
 against the collapse of the pores. If we do not succeed in 
 inducing a free flow of sweat, there will be no use in push- 
 ing a horse to trot another heat. He could not possibly win 
 under the circumstances, and his life or future powers 
 would be in imminent hazard. Should he perspire freely, 
 the relief is almost magical in the suddenness of its ope- 
 ration. The breathing becomes regular, the haggard look 
 is gone, and his eye and ear denote cheerfulness ; the 
 rigid muscles are relaxed, and he is soon quite another 
 horse in every particular. The "cooling out," after the 
 flow has lasted as long as is desirable, will be considered 
 when you see it exemphfied in practice. That of Never 
 Mind to-morrow will not elucidate it, as we are not 
 limited in time, while between heats of a race we must 
 be ready at the ringing of the bell to "prepare our 
 horses." 
 
 Pupil. — Only a short time ago I witnessed a race that 
 I thought was lost from the neglect of applying this man- 
 ner of relief, and I believe the only one lost by the animal 
 during the whole season. The race took place over the 
 Chicago Driving-Park, and the contestants were horses 
 of the very first celebrity in trotting-annals. The con- 
 ditions were mile heats, best three in five. Eiders taking 
 the place of the almost inevitable sulky attracted gi'eat 
 attention, as both horses were acknowledged to be superior 
 to all others when allowed to don the racing gear, and 
 
BEAUTY AT THE KACE-COUKSE. 275 
 
 thougli there might be those that could successfully con- 
 tend with them when a veliicle was part of the weight, 
 there would be " no show for them in this rig," and the 
 two would be first and second in a field comprising the 
 picked trotters of the world. Although both thus stood 
 in the fit'out rank, the claims of the one to the champion- 
 ship was so fully acknowledged that extravagant odds 
 were offered on his winning, and the opinion was so ge- 
 nerally coincided in that these large odds were not taken. 
 
 The attendance was large, attracted by the well-merited 
 fame of the horses, and the desu-e to see them perform in 
 a way that was favorable to the making of fast time. The 
 favorite had trotted a few days before, making in harness 
 faster time than had ever been accomplished by pacer or 
 trotter on the track previously, and anticipation pictured 
 a still higher flight, one that would excel the most re- 
 nowned of his recorded feats. The httle betting done 
 was on time, and there were not many that liked to back 
 the " Scythebearer " without stipulating that the beatings 
 of the watches should denote considerably less space than 
 had been occupied in the other race. When the horses 
 appeared at the call of the judges loud plaudits welcomed 
 their approach. The favorite was enthusiastically cheered, 
 and the ladies joined in the demonstration with waving 
 handkerchiefs and clapping hands. 
 
 There was much to gratify the eye in the whole picture. 
 The ladies' stand presented such an array of bright colors 
 and beauteous faces, that I wondered how Col. Wood, of 
 the museum, had selected the one modeled as the Chicago 
 beauty. I know that it would have sorely puzzled me to 
 have made the selection, as it did not need many glances 
 to discover that there were a score in the stand all worthy 
 of being immortalized in purest Parian marble, while the 
 carriages inside the coui'se were gloriously radiant with 
 beauty in all of its forms. The horses looked well, their 
 
276 HOKSE PORTKAITURE. 
 
 glossy coats showing that the grooms' duties had been 
 faithfully performed. Your remarks about the absence 
 of good looks in the drivers of trotters would only parti- 
 ally apply here, as the rider of the favorite was a very 
 pleasant looking young man, of clear complexion and 
 tranquil blue eye. There was a tuft of sandy hau' on his 
 chin that did not add much to his appearance, yet he was 
 rather above the average in good looks. The other rider 
 would have been fairly entitled to the jacknife from Pren- 
 tiss or Jonce Hooper ; still there was much to be pleased 
 with in his peculiar physiognomy. Notwithstanding a 
 palpable squint, there was a flash in his black and restless 
 eye that surely denoted genius of some kind, and though 
 his seat on the horse was not so graceful as his competi- 
 tor, he showed a knowledge of the business, and handled 
 his horse, the most difficult of the two to manage, with 
 the greatest skill. While the other might get as much out 
 of a horse in a trial, or, perhaps ride in a race as well, 
 where the competitors were limited, let it come to a close 
 struggle in a large field, and the little round-shouldered, 
 cross-eyed, keen, resolute-looking one should carry my 
 money. 
 
 There was not a great deal of scoring to try the patience 
 of spectators or judges, and at the second attempt the bell 
 tapped, and away they went for the first heat. The favor- 
 ite justified the expectations of his admirers, by gradually 
 drawing away from the other, and at the quarter pole was 
 three or four lengths in advance. He increased his pace 
 on the back-stretch and when the half-mile was done, 
 eight or ten lengths would have scarcely measured the dis- 
 tance between them. By the time the three-quarters of a 
 mile was reached he evidently slackened his speed, for the 
 other, it was supj)Osec!, to overtake him, and make the 
 semblance of a race down the home side. The rear horse 
 was gaining fast, and at the distance post liis head was at 
 
A favorite's loss of a aACE. 277 
 
 tLe leader's girth. "When within thirty yards of the stand 
 they both broke, galloping over the score, and in my opin- 
 ion, the favorite slightly behind. The time was slow for 
 the horses, a good deal behind what was made in the har- 
 ness race, and groans and cries of disapprobation met the 
 animals, that but a few minutes ago were liailed with accla- 
 mations. How evanescent is popularity! There were 
 many causes conducing to slow time, but not one of these 
 was considered. 
 
 A great majority of the vast concourse were disappoint- 
 ed, and when the judges announced the heat as belonging 
 to the favorite, and gave the official time, there were jeers 
 
 and calls to "bring out , he can beat that." It was 
 
 some time before the tumult could be stilled. I told one 
 of the judges, that I thought the other was entitled to the 
 heat, and he rephed that they thought of making it a dead 
 heat, but that would only protract the race, as the favorite 
 would win any way. I was laughed at for suggesting that, 
 perhaps, the other might be the victor, as the horse did 
 
 not live that could beat that way of going. From 
 
 the consultations between the owner and rider, and their 
 request that the judges would be careful not to give the 
 rider the word unless he was moving well and level, it was 
 apparent that they meant to do their best to wipe out the 
 disgrace of the preceding heat, and, by showing time that 
 would satisfy the most exacting, regain the applause they 
 had forfeited. Their wishes were gi-atified by a capital 
 start for the second heat, both horses trotting very fast as 
 the bell rung the chime that signified onward. There was 
 nothing to describe different from the other heat, only 
 that the favorite was further ahead than before at the half 
 mile. The watches showing a great improvement in the 
 time, and as it was made known in the judges' stand, the 
 vice-president turning to me, Ip's face fairly glowing with 
 
278 HORSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 excitement, and said, "I told you so ; lie is the only real 
 trotter in the world !" 
 
 On entering the home stretch, I could see, from the mo- 
 tions of the favorite, that the rider was urging him to his 
 best j)ace. He had not come far beyond the three-quarter 
 pole, however, when he broke — recovered — broke again, 
 struck a lumbering, tired gallop, and the thing was out. 
 The other horse made up the long gaj), caught him as he 
 commenced trotting again — they stayed together for a few 
 strides, when the gallant black rattled away from him, 
 coming home faster than he had trotted any portion of 
 the road before, his head oscillating from side to side, and 
 his ears gayly playing backwards and forwards, as he came 
 under the wire, many lengths in advance of his tired com- 
 petitor. There was no smile on the hps of the rider of 
 the victor. The check might be flushed a very little, but 
 the sparkle of the eye told what he concealed in every 
 other feature, — the exultation at conquering the hitherto 
 invincible hero of the trotting-tiu-f. 
 
 It was apparent to every one that something was wrong 
 with the quondam favorite. The time of the heat was 
 Easter than the other, yet not so fast as he ought to trot 
 nearly every day in the week. The rider ascribed it to 
 the cinders cutting the tender part of the body, as they 
 were thrown against it by the rapidly moving fore feet. 
 That could not be the cause, as the same thing must have 
 happened in the former race. As soon as he got permis- 
 sion to dismount, the rider took the horse a short distance 
 up the stretch, a light blanket was thrown on him, his 
 body was rubbed, and a man at each leg briskly manipu- 
 lated the surface of them. I thought then, and am still 
 more confident in the truth of the supposition now, that 
 if he had been briskly moved under clothes enough to in- 
 duce fi'ee perspiration, scraped, and kept in motion till the 
 order was given to saddle, he would have won the race, 
 
INTERNAL DISTURBANCE. 279 
 
 vvlu'ch he lost by standing still, no matter how many men 
 v/ere Irjdng to keep the circulation to the extremities by 
 hmd-rubbing. The next heat was a repetition of the 
 second, when he was very properly withdrawn, and. an- 
 other instance added to the many of the " glorious uncer- 
 tainties of racing." His rider told me that the horse was 
 well, that he was eating his daily allowance with a good 
 appetite, and that he could not account for his defeat in 
 any other manner than that the cinders worried him so 
 that he would not trot. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — It is hard to determine what the trouble 
 was, if internal disturbance was not the cause, which 
 the sweating would have relieved. We will now go to 
 dinner, resuming our conversation when that has been 
 discussed. 
 
CHAPTEE XX. 
 
 PRETTY WOMEN — MOKE ABOUT SWEATING — DBIVING XHTD 
 SHOEING MAY. 
 
 Pupil. — ^WMle you are smoMng these rougli barked 
 cigars, the consideration of other themes besides sweating- 
 will, I suppose, be admissible. If you are inclined to 
 hsten, I will recount to you the ad-venture of meeting the 
 next to the handsomest woman I ever saw. By the way, 
 the plan is a good one of characterizing the lady Ave sre 
 describing, as not at the very summit of perfection, and I 
 ■mil follow it, as thereby every pretty woman of my ac- 
 quaintance -will imagine that she is the exception alluded 
 to, whereas, if I said the handsomest, I would have former 
 protestations thrown in my teeth, and a row raised for my 
 insincerity. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — You will please me with the history, though 
 I must take exceptions to your construction of the reasons 
 why I called Miss P. the second in point of beauty I 
 had ever seen. The first was so pre-eminently beautiful, 
 that should I attempt to portray her, I could hardly tell 
 you the color of her hair or eyes. It would be like looking 
 on the noontide sun to discover the spots, which astrono- 
 mers tell us mar its glorious radiance, which should we 
 look for, the eye and brain would be dazed in the vain 
 endeavor to find anything to detract from the bright lu- 
 minary. You deserve to be well castigated, not alone for 
 the absence of truth in your protestations, but for having 
 
THE ST. LOUIS FAIE. 281 
 
 the impudence to tell more than one lady that you thought 
 her the most beautiful. 
 
 Pupil. — I was just as sincere in the twentieth case as 
 the first, and when teUing the last fair one she was the 
 prettiest creature I ever saw, I firmly believed it for the 
 time being ; and "why not," as the Spaniards say. If we 
 held to the same opinions formed in boyhood, there would 
 be a small chance for improvement, and we would not be 
 the progressive individuals we claim. As we get more 
 experience, we change the crude opinions formerly enter- 
 tained, for those we have discovered to be better and 
 nearer the truth ; and as to the impertinence of telling a 
 lady she is handsome, in a deferential, proper manner, I 
 have yet to see the first one that was much offended with 
 the impudence. The story I am going to relate partly 
 illustrates this ; and not to waste any more time in cu^cum- 
 locution, I will rehearse it. 
 
 Seven or eight years ago I spent the latter part of the 
 summer in St. Louis, stopping at the Abbey Park, then 
 
 under the charge of the enterprising Charlie . There 
 
 was a perfect round of trotting, pacing, and running, and 
 the stables were fiUed with animals that were taking part in 
 these Olympic struggles, and with those in preparation for 
 the approaching great St. Louis Fair. The grand Lexing- 
 ton, the handsome Revenue, the fleet Ruric, the powerful 
 Doubloon, France, Waterloo, Princeton, Little Arthur, 
 imp. Barnton, and a dozen other thoroughbred stallions 
 were having the finishing poHsh put on their glossy coats, 
 and when they were led into the ring, the welcoming 
 shouts from twenty thousand people testified that their 
 merits were appreciated. Much as Charlie had to do in 
 superintending the affairs at the Abbey, his energetic man- 
 agement carried things along so smoothly that there was 
 still time to drive through the pleasant suburbs of the 
 King City. In many of these excursions I accompanied 
 
282 HORSE POKTKAITURE. 
 
 him, and on one of the pleasantest Sunday evenings I ever 
 saw, the trotters were hitched to the wagon, and we took 
 our places in it. The whole turn-out was in good taste, 
 and when I add that Charlie was the handsomest man in 
 the City of Mounds, it is evident we would be very hkely 
 to attract our share of attention. 
 
 I am not going to trouble you with a description of the 
 beautiful country that environs St. Louis, further than to 
 state that I know of no city that is its superior in beauty 
 of siu'roundings, especially in the golden harvest time. 
 We were jogging along the Gravois road, when I espied 
 two females a short distance in advance, and as we over- 
 took them I could not refrain from peering under their 
 bonnets. One of them was transcendently beautiful. I 
 nudged Charlie, whose attention was taken up driving the 
 horses, whispering "Look, what a beautiful gii"l!" He 
 turned his head, and on the first glimpse, he, with a 
 powerful effort, almost set the horses on their haunches, 
 
 and broke out with the exclamation, " I'll be blessed if 
 
 she isn't handsome ! " There was a transient suffusion of 
 the girl's clear cheek, and something of a toss of the pretty 
 head, yet the sparkhng eye and half smile on the lip, 
 showed that she overlooked the impertinence of the very 
 handsome man, that had been betrayed into this enthusi- 
 astic acknowledgment of her beauty. When we returned 
 to the Abbey, I was still full of the adventure, and of 
 course must recount it to the rest of the brothers of the 
 spur and snaffle that were assembled in the bar-room. An 
 old gentleman was one of the listeners, who, after patiently 
 hearing all my encomiums on the fair unknown, said, 
 "Pshaw! I'll bet she isn't half so good looking as my 
 daughter Fanny." A wager of a dozen of wine was ac- 
 cordingly booked, and then the j)uzzling question arose, 
 how it was to be decided. The old man proposed sending 
 to the stable of Captain M., who had named a favorite 
 
THE "WAGEK. 283 
 
 mare after the Belle of , and was the fortunate owner 
 
 of her picture. I told him the arbitrament would not be 
 |ust, where a picture had to be taken into consideration, 
 as I knew our umpire, Charlie, would acknowledge that 
 there never was a picture as beautiful as the radiant 
 blonde. Charhe assented, so the decision was indefinitely 
 postponed. 
 
 Several days after this the old gentleman came along in 
 his buggy and invited me to accompany him to the resi- 
 dence of his son-in-law, who owned one of the many fine 
 mansions that are situated a mile or two from the Abbey. 
 I went with him, as I had frequently done before, always 
 being much pleased with his reminiscences of former days, 
 which he recoimted so admirably that scenes long passed 
 seemed a part of the present time. He hitched his horse 
 to a post, telHng me he only intended to stay a few min- 
 utes, but insisted on my going into the house. We went 
 into the drawing-room, when he introduced me to a pla- 
 cid, fine looking old lady, his wife. He withdrew, and soon 
 re-appeared with a magnificient looking girl whom he in- 
 troduced as his daughter Fanny. I was doubly sui-prised, 
 thinking she was in New Orleans, and my natural bash- 
 fulness was gTcatly augmented by the recollection of the 
 wager with her father. After the ceremony of introduction, 
 he remarked : " What do you think, Fanny, my young 
 friend here had the audacity to bet with me that he saw 
 on the Gravois road the other day a handsomer woman 
 than you!" 
 
 Of course I could only stammer out that when I made 
 the ^vager I had full confidence that I would win it, that 
 
 never having had the pleasure *of seeing Miss , I did 
 
 not think there was a woman in the world superior to the 
 one I had seen, and nothing btit ocular proof would have 
 convinced me to the contrary ; but now I must concede 
 that the bet had been a rash one, and there was no doubt 
 
284 HORSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 of my having lost it by a long way, in turf parlance, being 
 outside of the distance. Still it was one of those ventures 
 where the loss gives more pleasure than would attend the 
 winning. She was very much embarrassed, and I was 
 glad when the old gentleman signified his readiness to 
 return. We had hardly got into the yard when he shouted 
 to Charlie and Captain M. that I had acknowledged the 
 loss of the wine bet ; and I had the pleasure of seeing my 
 friends di-inking the sparkling champag-ne, as I cogitated 
 on the two beautiful faces that had been the cause of the 
 flow of the enlivening fluid. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — I am glad the old man trapped you into 
 the loss, though I neither admire your making the bar- 
 room of a track the place to expatiate on female beauty, 
 or the want of delicacy in the old man in making the 
 statement in the presence of his daughter. It was a pretty 
 shrewd trick, however, as I doubt whether he would have 
 ever got a decision in his favor in any other manner. 
 
 Pupil. — I will engage that I never lay myself Hable 
 again to be picked up. It was the second time in my life 
 that I would have given boot for a hollow log to crawl in, 
 and it would not have taken a very large orifice to accom- 
 modate me if my body was as small as I felt. The cigars 
 being still burning I will recount the other adventure. 
 When I was a young man I had an intimate acquaintance 
 in Dr. L. He was a very highly educated man, and 
 though not a member of the F. F. V.'s he was still a notch 
 or two up, belonging to a Philadelphia family of high 
 social position. From a long series of troubles originat- 
 ing in an unfortunate marriage, his finely organized brain 
 had become crazed, though at this time his madness was 
 in a very mild form. His friends sent him from Phila- 
 delphia to that rough part of Pennsylvania, where I was 
 engaged in land-surveying, and which had been a favorite 
 resort of his in his healthy days. He boarded at the 
 
A EAR A AVIS. 285 
 
 county seat, and occupied his time with wandering about 
 the neighborhood hunting and fishing. He was very select 
 in forming new acquaintances, hardly ever going beyond 
 the circle of old friends. 
 
 He dubbed me Compo, always insisting I was the 
 nephew of an Indian chief with whom he had hunted in 
 the then distant prairies of the far West. At times he 
 was rational, and it was well worth while to listen to his 
 vagaries when the hallucination was upon him, till the 
 interval of sanity, as then his conversation would be of 
 great interest, and he would vividly sketch scenes that 
 had occurred in his eventful life. When the cloud was 
 away, I never listened to a person who could more com- 
 pletely absorb the attention of his hearers ; and incidents 
 of foreign travel, and adventures by sea and land, would 
 be portrayed so graphically that they seemed as if actually 
 occurring. When he discoursed of the gi'eat men of the 
 world — ^being personally acquainted with many of them — 
 he showed an acuteness of jDcnetration in discerning traits 
 of character, hidden to an ordinary observer, placing the 
 characters he was describing generally in a more favorable 
 hght ; and in talking of celebrated poets, he would dis- 
 cover beauties hitherto overlooked, and he would demon- 
 strate his opinions with quotations that showed his inti- 
 mate knowledge of all their writings. I have listened 
 with admiration to his conversation for hours, as he went 
 over the field of pohte literatui'e, giving me ideas that 
 greatly enhanced the pleasure of reading ; or he would 
 entertain me with stories of other countries, elucidating 
 life and habit better than I ever saw it done in books. He 
 would vary this by showing me how to tie the fly that 
 was best adapted for fishing in different waters, explain 
 some intricate problem at chess, set up the rare birds and 
 animals that we would kill in our hunting-trips, his knowl- 
 edge of ornithology and taxidermy being second only to 
 
 13 
 
286 HOKSE PORTRAITUKE. 
 
 those who made these studies a profession. He was as 
 delightful a companion as I ever had, and had it not been 
 for the "disjointed thoughts" that often shocked you, by 
 proving the wreck of the mind so richly stored, no more 
 fascinating one coiild be found in any country. 
 
 But I find it will take up too much of our time to give 
 an account at present of the scrape he got me in. So I 
 will postpone I'elating it till to-morrow's nooning, as I do 
 not want to have the recollections of those days of romantic 
 youth to interfere with my understanding the subject-mat- 
 ter now before us, as I am convinced there is nothing of 
 more importance in the training of horses, than fully 
 mastering all the intricacies of sweating. 
 
 Preceptok. — You do not overestimate the bearing it has 
 on the welfare of the horse, and if there is any danger that 
 the story you contemplated telling would interfere with 
 your attention, I am glad you have postponed it to another 
 time. I can easily foresee that making a companion of a 
 lunatic might result in scrapes, as there is none of us any 
 too sane when the equilibrium of the brain is disturbed, 
 which is particularly apt to be the case in that susceptible 
 period of life, from eighteen to twenty-five. In resuming 
 the conversation on sweating, I may go over ground 
 I have heretofore traveled. But though a "twice told 
 tale " may be tedious, there is no royal road to the acquisi- 
 tion of skill in any pursuit, and at the hazard of being 
 tiresome I will further ilhistrate the effects of the treatment. 
 I have spoken of the change the blood undergoes in its 
 passage through the lungs, and the transmission of some 
 of its constituents through the pores of the skin. There 
 is another function the skin possesses, — that of assisting to 
 decarbonize the blood. There is no other way by which 
 the skin can be so completely purified as by free perspira- 
 tion. The little scales or dandruff that form are very 
 hard to remove by the currycomb or biTish, in fact they 
 
ADVANTAGES OF THE THOEO U GH B EED. 287 
 
 cannot be thoroughly got rid of by their use, and after 
 patient grooming the removal will only be partial. The 
 constant grooming produces soreness of the extremely 
 sensitive vessels or bulbs at the root of the hair, and we 
 irritate the horse without obtaining a suitable recompense. 
 Washing with soap and water is also ineffectual, and is 
 inadmissible, as the horse's coat will soon show that injui'y 
 has been done, if the ablutions are continued. The per- 
 spiration lifts up the scales, and carries them to the surface 
 of the hair, which is proven by sweating a horse and 
 allowing him to dry, when he will appear as if powdered 
 with flour. The sweating then makes the skin actually 
 thinner and more supple, and of course the air will have 
 a greater effect on the blood-vessels that lie immediately 
 under the surface. 
 
 Pupil. — I have become fearful of stating advantages 
 which I believe thorough blood of all others gives to the 
 trotter; but I hope you will pardon me for again calling 
 your attention to it in connection with this question, the 
 decarbonizing of the blood through the pores of the skin. 
 You see a thoroughbred horse after rapid exertion, and 
 there is apparent a perfect network of veins traceable — 
 though in intricate confusion — over the whole of the body. 
 There are not only many more in sight, but they are larger 
 than those of the cold-blooded one. It would be proper 
 to infer that if those you see are larger, it will also be the 
 case with those that are hidden, and if we deduce from 
 this data that the blood is more perfectly decarbonized, 
 our reasoning will be correct. Now, if the blood has lost 
 this detrimental equivalent through the pores of the cuti- 
 cular covering, there is less labor for the lungs to perform 
 in equal circumstances. 
 
 Pkeceptob. — In your ardor for the thoroughbred, you 
 lose sight of all I have said. No one of any sense will 
 argue against the form and characteristics of the blood 
 
288 HOKSE POKTEATTURE. 
 
 horse being the best for continued fast work, and 1 have 
 to keep a higher check on you than I would, to prevent 
 you running away — or, rather, blood horses running 
 away with your sense, when you claim to make trotters 
 of them. Their structure, muscular, vascular, nervous, 
 and osseous, excel all others for speed. The only point 
 at issue between us is the possession of the trotting step. 
 We will not argue about it now, and I will admit that if 
 a thoroughbred could trot as fast as a cold-blooded or 
 pai't-bred one, I would rather pay double the money for 
 him. 
 
 The removal of the dandruff from the skin facilitates 
 the action of the air in this purifying process, and, you 
 say correctly, lessens greatly the labor of the lungs. There 
 is much waste from the pores of the skin that is not seen, 
 but which, nevertheless, is going on at all times. This is 
 called insensible perspiration. The evacuations from the 
 bowels and kidneys carry off the more gross residue, and 
 stoppages in their action is always a cause of alarm. 
 When the skin becomes so clogged that it does not per- 
 form its share in relieving the internal economy, the injury, 
 though not so speedily observed as from the other stop- 
 pages, will ultimately be very serious. The good resulting 
 from sweating is not confined to merely ridding the animal 
 of fat, as it increases the power of the heart, and assists 
 the lungs in performing their duty. 
 
 Pupil. — I have read that, in the great race of five heats 
 of four miles each which was won by Black Maria — the 
 grant aunt of the Falcon — she lost a hundi-ed and twenty- 
 five pounds in weight. I suppose it was as severe a race 
 as ever was run, the fifth heat being only forty-one seconds 
 slower than the first, and the black mare ran for evei'y 
 heat, not having been laid up in any of them. 
 
 Pbeceptoe. — It appears almost incredible that a horse 
 could lose so much as that in so short a time, no matter 
 
EBDUCING HOESES BY SWEATING. 289 
 
 how severe the work had been, but if so stated by Mr. 
 Stevens, there is no doubt of its being the case. He was 
 very methodical in all of his business, and his training 
 stable was as perfect as money and skill could make it. 
 There was a weighing-machine connected with it, and the 
 reductions in the weight of the horses, as the training 
 progressed, carefully noted. The results of each sweat and 
 trial could thus readily be seen, and the presumption 
 is, from the success that generally attended his stable, that 
 his horses were usually in good condition. He had a room 
 fitted up with hot-air pipes, and is, probably, the first 
 who used the Roman bath in the training of horses. How 
 it succeeded with him I have never learned, but I beheve, 
 from engagements with the government in the construc- 
 tion of a floating battery, and which absorbed his whole 
 time, the training was discontinued soon after the erection 
 of the bath. My intention was at first to show the differ- 
 ence between sweating with hot air and clothing, when 
 hot air might be used to advantage, &c., but, as I beheve, 
 in the training of trotters, that the benefit derived would 
 not equal the expense of construction and the care re- 
 quisite for its successful use, we will confine our attention 
 to the more simple mode. Scales that we could weigh the 
 horses on would be of great service, and would materially 
 assist us in coming to correct conclusions regarding the 
 effects of the various sweats; and problems in work and 
 feeding could also be demonstrated more effectually. 
 
 Pupil. — In preparing the Falcon for a ten-mile race, I 
 reduced him one hundi'ed and twenty-five pounds in three 
 weeks, sweating him once a week, with a great deal more 
 work between them than I would give now. In all the 
 horses I have had to deal with, he is the only one that I 
 could reduce so rapidly without injury. No difference 
 how long the distance, how fast the pace, or how many 
 clothes he was wrapped in, he never exhibited the least 
 
290 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 symtoms of distress, though I am satisfied I worked him 
 too much, and sacrificed his speed without its being ne- 
 cessary. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — Very probably you did. Because a horse 
 has that quality we denominate bottom or endurance, with 
 game that does not show distress, if peradventure, he feels 
 it, we are very apt to overwork him. The great difierence 
 between training race horses now and in former days, 
 exemplifies the truth of this statement. The trainer of 
 Haney's Maria — a mare that beat almost everything she 
 ran with — would gallop her, at times, ten or twelve miles. 
 A person who would do so now would be thought crazier 
 than your friend the doctor, and it was only by having a 
 nonpareil that this fellow was enabled to win at aU. 
 Horses now run the four miles in time that would have 
 been looked at in her day as an impossibilty, and show as 
 little fatigue as when the time was haK a minute slower. 
 Better horses, better tracks, and better training have 
 accomphshed this, and the last named has done its full 
 share. 
 
 We will now to the stable, where our first duty will be 
 to prepare a mash for Never Mind I have no great faith 
 in medicated mashes, and usually confine myself to bran, 
 oats, salt, and a decoction of sassafras. The last has, I 
 think, a beneficial effect in making the system less Hable 
 to febrile excitement, which is the most to be dreaded and 
 guarded against after sweating. When this is done, I 
 will see you drive the colts. We will make May wear the 
 large roll I spoke of, and see if her action changes any 
 when going round the turn. The effect will be more no- 
 ticeable when first applied than after she has become 
 somewhat accustomed to it. 
 
 I have said nothing yet about the difference between 
 growing and matured horses, both as to the necessity 
 and the effects of sweating. There is a vast difference ; so 
 
MASH PREVIOUS TO SWEATING. 291 
 
 mucli so, that the treatment we give au aged horse would 
 nearly destroy a colt. The first will bear a far gxeater 
 reduction of his bulk than a colt would, when to the eye 
 he would appear to be much in the same order; and a 
 horse will be in proper condition to trot, when his ribs 
 would sh.o\-7 to the eye, while the colt's should be covered 
 with qaite a coating of flesh. The reason is, that young 
 animals are not so fat inside as the older, and reducing 
 them in size would be accompanied by the wasting of the 
 muscles. Till colts can trot fast enough to fatigue them- 
 selves, there will be no necessity for sweating them further 
 than what is required for a complete purification of the 
 skin. I allude to sweating under clothes. As the weather 
 becomes warmer, they will sweat enough in their work to 
 answer all their purposes. I think that reducing May 
 much woiild further endanger her cutting her pasterns, 
 and she will have to be kept as high as is compatible with 
 clearness of wind. Now for the mash, which we will make 
 with three quarts of bran, two of oats, a table-spoonful of 
 salt, with boiling water enough (in which is placed the 
 sassafras) to saturate the mass, covering it so there will 
 be no escape of steam. It will become thoroughly cool 
 before it is fed, which is the object in making it so long 
 beforehand. Unless I want to steam the nasal passages, 
 as in distemper, or for the relief of colds, or other med- 
 icinal purposes, T prefer giving the mashes cold. 
 
 Pdpil. — May's shoes have not yet been changed for the 
 ones you recommended, and I have not speeded her since 
 the morning you saw her go. 
 
 Peeceptor. — I want to watch her closely before her 
 present shoes are removed, and will only keep the roll on 
 long enough to observe the changes it causes in her action. 
 I feel very confident that increasing the weight in her 
 hind shoes will have a beneficial effect, which experiment 
 will either prove to be correct, or confute that presumption, 
 
292 HORSE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 when we shall have to discover some other remedy. There 
 is not so much chance to change the action of the hind 
 legs as there is the legs in fi'ont, there being no posterior 
 joint, where the motion is so free and as capable of being 
 modulated, as the hnee. You can now harness her, jog 
 five or six miles, and by that time I will be on the track 
 to see her move. 
 
 Pupil. — I have driven the specified distance slow. 'WTiat 
 will be the next order of exercises ? 
 
 Peeceptor. — Go the next round a three-and-a-half gait, 
 and as you come down the stretch, let it be at her best 
 speed. Pull her up at the stand, and take a medium rate 
 till you come here again, when you can go round the tui'n 
 as fast as you can drive without her breaking; then tui'n 
 round at the quarter post and come back. 
 
 Pupil. — There is some pleasure in di'iving her, apart 
 irom that sidehng motion, which is provoking enough. 
 In every other particular she will do just as you want her. 
 Should anything have been different fi-om what you 
 intended, I am to blame, as the mare went exactly as I 
 directed her to go. 
 
 Peeceptok. — AU was very proper. Throw the blanket 
 and hood on her, and let the boy walk her up the stretch. 
 I saw nothing in her movement to cause me to change the 
 opinion I have heretofore expressed. I think she touched 
 a little when she went round the turn. We wiU now put 
 the roll on, when you can drive her up the stretch to the 
 three-quarter pole, coming down at speed, which you will 
 keep up half way round the tui-n. Stop there, and come 
 back as fast as you can. 
 
 That will do ; drive her to the bam, unharness. She 
 is not wet enough to scrape ; so have the boys straighten 
 her hair nicely, clothe her with blankets and hood, and 
 walk her half an hour, when she can be rubbed and 
 cleaned, the soles of her feet washed, stuffed witli moist 
 
NIGHT BEFOEE THE SWEAT. 293 
 
 tow, and to-morrow afternoon we will liave her sliod, I 
 am convinced the shoeing and use of this roll will work a 
 CTU'e, as it certainly made a good deal of change in her 
 gait, and that is favorable. As it protects the part where 
 she strikes, she will soon learn not to be afraid of the 
 blow. 
 
 You can walk Never Mind the usual time this evening; 
 give him two quarts of water and the mash, in lieu of his 
 regular feed of grain. Give only what hay you can span 
 in your hand, have his bed well prepared, and put the 
 setting muzzle on as soon as he finishes liis lock of hay. 
 In the morning, give him one quart of oats when the other 
 horses are fed,— no water; and as soon as he finishes the 
 grain, replace the muzzle. I will be here in good season, 
 to give further directions. 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 KEVER mind's FIRST SWEAT — PREPARATION, AND METHOD PUB- 
 SUED — BREEDING TROTTERS — PEDIGREES. 
 
 Preceptor. — The morning is all that we could ask. 
 There could not be a better time for the business we have 
 on hand. The air is warm without murkiness, and the 
 breeze is only sufficient to keep it in motion. By the time 
 the sun is a few degrees higher, the vital fluid will be as 
 bland as that ladened with the fragrance of rose and 
 jasamine wafted from the gardens of Ghul. It is a great 
 annoyance to prepare a horse for a sweat, and have the 
 time appointed uupropitious; though if the weather is not 
 too bad I prefer to give it, than to postpone to another 
 time. Should the weather be such that it would be im- 
 politic to attempt the sweating, I should put it off for three 
 or foui" days, commencing again the preparation from the 
 outset. I do not like to muzzle a horse two nights in 
 succession, though there are some very gross feeders that 
 require the appliance of the muzzle at all times, to keep 
 them from eating the bedding. Even in such a case I 
 would rather substitute some other material for bedding 
 than straw, though there is nothing else so well adapted 
 for the purpose. Sawdust soon heats from the mixture 
 of urine, and is then very detrimental to the horse's feet; 
 and there is danger to the lungs from the i)articles of dust 
 that arise whenever the horse moves. In the summer 
 time, I prefer sand to any other substitute. By filling the 
 stall to a depth of six or eight inches, the horse has a very 
 
PEEPARATIONS FOE THE SWEAT. 295 
 
 comfortable bed to lie on, and wlien standing, it gives a 
 uniform support to the sole and frog. It never becomes 
 heated, and whatever portion of it adheres to the skin is 
 easily removed by the wisp or brush. There is nothing 
 so good for making a "wallowing bed;" and when we see 
 how much pleasure a horse takes in tumbling about in 
 it, we must conclude that it is not an uncomfortable 
 couch for him to repose on. By the way, we will soon 
 have to make a jolace for the horses to roll, as I hold it is 
 of great service at all times, and we are repaid for the trou- 
 ble, if only for the satisfaction of seeing them enjoy a good 
 wallow. Have the boy throw a kersey and hood on Never 
 Mind, and walk him in hand for an hour. In the mean- 
 time, you can drive Falcon; jog him five miles, and drive 
 one moderately fast, allowing him to go a three-minute 
 gait on the stretches. 
 
 Pupil. — I have complied with your instructions, but 
 was disappointed in not seeing you on the ti'ack to tell 
 me how weU I did it. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — I wanted to watch Never Mind while he 
 was walking, to see that he emptied himself as he ought, 
 and to note the appearance of the evacuations, before any 
 change of color took place from exposui'e to the air. The 
 excrements are just right, — a bright yellow color, without 
 any hard exterior coating, and of the right consistency. 
 The mash has performed its functions so far admirably. 
 While the appearance of the foeces is as I desire to see 
 them at present, it would not do for them to be of this 
 character if the horse was expected to go in a race. But 
 we must now prepare him further, and have no time at 
 present for the consideration of anything diverse fi-om the 
 business in hand. Have him brought into the stable, 
 hghtly wisped over his whole body, and the hair smoothed, 
 when we will clothe him. There, that will do. Now take 
 hold of this long, soft blanket, bring the corners together. 
 
296 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 SO that it will be the full leugth and half the width, throw 
 it ovei- his back* and bring the end under his belly; be 
 very careful to have it straight and free from wrinkles. It 
 now laps a little more than a foot; but I perceive there 
 has been a matter neglected that is of moment. There 
 are no strings, and we will have to fasten it with skewers, 
 which I dishke very much. There ought to have been 
 four strings sewed on to the side of the blanket, a little be- 
 low where it covers the backbone, and the same number 
 on the end that we brought between the fore and hind 
 legs. Then it can be fastened securely, without ninning 
 any risk of wounding the skin, as there always is from the 
 skewers. 
 
 We will now take this lighter and smaller blanket, and 
 after doubhng it in the same way, fold it as many times 
 around the neck, enveloping it with several thicknesses 
 from the shoulders to the ears. The next blanket will be 
 similar to the first, only we do not double it, but cover the 
 horse all over, tying it round the breast and under the 
 tail, fastening it every few inches as low as the gaskin. A 
 hood will be the next thing, having no ear pieces, and 
 ^arge enough to coVer the shoulders, being tied behind the 
 »ore legs. A heavy kersey suit of clothes carefully adjust- 
 ed, with the breast-plate loose enough not to interfere 
 with the free motion of the legs; the hood with earpieces 
 and a flank girth buckled in its appropriate place, and the 
 costume is complete, leaving no part uncovered, except- 
 ing the legs from the knees and hocks down, and the eye^ 
 and muzzle. The harness has to be enlarged to meet the 
 necessities of the clothing, and rolls are put on above aU 
 the fetlocks to prevent bruising of the joints. The horse 
 is now ready to go into the shafts, but before we go to the 
 track we wiU prepare a drink for him, by taking a hand- 
 ful of hnseed, or two of oatmeal, and making a thin gruel, 
 which we temper with boiling water, so that it will be a 
 
SWEATING NEVER MIND. 297 
 
 liUle above blood heat. You can now walk him once 
 round, and jog him slowly twice, when you can stop him. 
 
 That is very good. Wait till he gets a mouthful or two 
 of the drink. The perspiration is starting, and this hot 
 gruel will facilitate the flow. The next two rounds drive 
 a Uttle faster, when you can bring him to the barn. We 
 are in great luck. The hair is now fully charged with 
 moisture, and you will soon see as " free a delivery " as 
 you could wish for. Tui'n him around in the stable, so 
 that his head will be at the heel post; close the door and 
 bring plenty of blankets, and we will throw three or four 
 extra ones on him, retaining every particle of heat. See 
 how he begins to labor in breathing, and put youi- finger 
 on the artery on the inner side of the jaw bone; the pulse 
 is rapid, and the artery so full that it slips, on the least 
 pressure, from under the finger. Give him another swal- 
 low of the gi'uel. The perspu-ation is beginning to start 
 down the legs. Look at that big drop; it runs an inch or 
 two; stops; takes a diagonal course; here is another one 
 following it, and now thi-ee or four httle rivulets are run- 
 ning down the arms, and joining in one stream below the 
 knee. Very large globules have oozed through the blanket 
 we first wrapped him in, and the weight of it is so much 
 increased that it bags down as far as the fastenings will 
 permit. Do not be alarmed at this profuse flow; I want 
 it to run a few minutes longer; you can see that the 
 hoi^se does not labor in breathing as much as he did, — and 
 clap your finger once more on the artery. It has an elastic 
 feel in place of the rigid, tense cord, that eluded you at 
 first, while the beatings are not so rapid. 
 
 Get the scrapers and ru.bbers ready. Take a scraper 
 yourself, give Tom another, and let Con and Cooley be 
 prepared with the largest and softest salt sack rubbers. 
 Unbuckle the hood straps and the fastenings of the breast- 
 plate. Throw the hoods back on the loia, and turn back 
 
298 HORSE POETRAITUKE. 
 
 the clothes so as to expose the chest. Throw that necJi 
 wrapper on one side. Use your scrapers carefully, only 
 bearing on enough to force the water from the hair. You, 
 boys, rub him lightly between and around the ears. Your 
 cloths will absorb more moisture if you do not bear on. 
 Now unbuckle the flank girth; throw the clothes over his 
 chest and neck, lay the belly wrapper on one side; it is 
 heavier now than all the clothes were when first put on. 
 Scrai)e his sides, back, and quarters. How the froth bub- 
 bles ! We will have different looking and feeling sweat from 
 this in a month or two. Be very careful not to irritate him 
 when you scrape the inside of the thigh and flanks; throw 
 the clothes back : his neck will now scrape again. Go all 
 over him once more, but before you begin throw ofl* these 
 extra blankets. Now you can throw them all off. Tom, 
 you can also take a rubber, and rub his loin briskly. 
 
 You, my scholar, get some dry clothes, a pair of those 
 large, fine English blankets, and a hood of the same mate- 
 rial. Smooth his hair by running the rubbing-cloths the 
 right way of it, and do not ruffle it as you jjut the dry 
 clothes on. This time tie the blankets outside of the tail, 
 put your lightest cover over the blanket, and. Con, you 
 can walk him in the ring till you are called in. The rest 
 of you take the outside clothes, and hang them in the air 
 to dry. The neck and belly wrapper place in a tub of 
 water to soak. Get some dry, clean rubbers, the foot tub, 
 hot water, and bring me a small-sized pail, so that I can 
 prepare his drink for the day, which will be eight quarts 
 of tepid water, with a table- spoonful of the best cream of 
 tartar in it. He must not be allowed to di'ink any more 
 than this till to-morrow morning — given by pouring two 
 quarts of it at a time into another bucket, so that he will 
 not be tantalized by seeing more than we want him to 
 drink, which will also satisfy his thirst better. The object 
 in restricting him in the water is that the absorbents will 
 
AFTER THE SWEAT. 299 
 
 then take "hold of the fat, which they would not do if we 
 gave him an unlimited supply of fluid. The tartaric acid 
 not only assists to allay the thirst, but its refi'igerating 
 properties are beneficial in guarding against feverish 
 symptoms. 
 
 He has now walked a quarter of an hour, so you can 
 call Con to bring him in. He is drying capitally. Take 
 a handful of hay, dip it in the acidulated water, and let 
 him pick it out of your hand, while the boys rub out these 
 damp places. Now throw a linen sheet on him in place 
 of the blanket, put the cover over that, and walk him 
 slowly for twenty minutes. I never saw a horse do better 
 than he has. Look at his eye, it is as bright as those of an 
 eastern Odalisque, and does not need the apphcation of 
 henna to heighten its radiance. Now wash the soles and 
 crust of his feet with cold water, place him in the foot 
 tubs, and after applying castile soap, thoroughly wash 
 with warm water his legs from the Imees and hocks down. 
 When that is done, dip a set of bandages in hot water, and 
 swathe his legs from the knee to the coronet. Fix up his 
 bedding, give him two quarts of the drink, as directed, 
 two quarts of the prepared oats and hominy, and two or 
 three pounds of hay, which it will be well enough to 
 dampen. When this is eaten, put on the muzzle, and leave 
 him undistm'bed till the next feed. You have now seen 
 the manner in which I give the first sweat to a horse that 
 is robust — lusty, as the English say. If there is a point 
 that is not clear, I am ready to answer any questions. 
 
 Pupiii. — I think I can see fi'om your former conversa- 
 tions the object of each part of the proceedings. When 
 the horse was laboring so hard, however, as the extra 
 blankets were pat on, I should have been uneasy if you 
 had not been present, and, if left to myself, would have 
 been trying some plan to relieve him, especially when I 
 discovered the pulse so high, and the artery so tense. 
 
800 HORSE POETRAITURE. 
 
 Preceptor. — The reasons for throwing on the additional 
 clothing were, that those he wore during the exercise 
 did not sufficiently retain the heat, and the rapid loss of 
 the watery and oily portions of the blood would be fol- 
 lowed by the absorbing vessels acting sooner on the fat, 
 than they would otherwise have done if the clothing had 
 not been augmented. By keeping iip the flow by their 
 use, we approximated to the benefits derived fi'om the 
 heated air bath, and reduced him more than we possibly 
 could have done with prolonged exercise, which would 
 have endangered his legs. I can only guess at the pounds 
 avoirdupois he has lost ; but when you consider the in- 
 creased weight of the inner wi-appings, and the amount of 
 water that flowed fi'om the scraper, it must amount to a 
 considerable depreciation of his former weight. The 
 manner of giving sweats wdll vary as the preparation 
 proceeds, and the different horses will also require a change 
 of treatment. There will be very Httle change in the case 
 of Never Mind in the plan pursued to day, until we get 
 rid of a good portion of the inside fat he is encumbered 
 with. 
 
 You can now hai'ness Jane, and, while jogging her, fol- 
 low the previous instructions not to pull at her. If she 
 wants to go faster than you desii'e, bring her to a full stop, 
 and mind that you do it with a resolute hand, emulating 
 the manner your friend Charhe stopped his team, when 
 thunderstruck with the beautiful female on the Grravois 
 road. The effect of a sudden pull of that description is 
 tenfold greater than when the mouth has become numb 
 from lugging at the bit, and the mare will not only suc- 
 cumb at the time, but the lesson will be a good one to 
 regTilate her future conduct by. 
 
 Pupil. — Jane appears to be well contented with the pace 
 you have fixed for her to go, and jogs as quietly as could 
 be asked. I am all anxiety to see her go fast, for if she is 
 
UKEEDING OF TKOTTEES. 30^ 
 
 as amenable then in proportion as she is now, we will 
 certainly have one trotter in the string. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — Unless you have your heart set on a won- 
 derful rate of speed, I think you will be gratified by the 
 possession of more than one trotter. There may be as 
 much profit and pleasui'e in a horse that can safely trot in 
 thirty, as one that goes eight or ten seconds less. With 
 the very fast horse there are only occasional opportunities 
 of trotting him in races, while others can be trotted as 
 often as we desire. From the greater number of second- 
 rate horses, there is no trouble in making up fields, and 
 the best races — running and trotting — are generalUy those 
 which this class figui-e in. No further business appearing 
 for the morning consideration, we will take up our line of 
 march for the house. 
 
 We will resume a subject that has been dropped for 
 bome time, — the Breeding of Trotters. Without being as 
 enthusiastic as you, in all that pertains to their conception 
 and rearing, I am, nevertheless, greatly interested in it. 
 In former talks I have trod on your corns by underrating 
 " the advantage of racing-blood in trotters," till I am sorry 
 to see that you have become very sensitive whenever the 
 subject is broached. I must confess that I have carried 
 my objections further then I intended. My predilections 
 being strongly in favor of blood, I was induced to follow 
 this course, the better to arrive at a candid consideration 
 of the drawbacks, as well as the advantages, of breeding 
 road horses from the source purified in the alembic of the 
 race course. Throwing aside, as far as lies in our power, 
 all predisposition for or against the thoroughbreds, we may 
 derive benefit fi'om further deliberation; though I had 
 forgotten, when proposing this, that you had promised the 
 denouement of your adventure with the crazy Doctor, and 
 will be gratified to Hsten to it. Our time after dinner will 
 only give us space enough to consume a cigar, as I want 
 
302 HORSE POETRAITURE. 
 
 to be at tbe stable wben feeding-time arrives; so propel, 
 as tbe negro minstrels say. 
 
 Pupil. — If you leave tbe cboice to me, I sball select 
 breeding as tbe more interesting topic, now tbat your 
 tbougbts are running tbat way; tbe " yam " will keep cold 
 well enougb. As to my enthusiasm, a person of ardent 
 temperament cannot avoid being entbusiastic wben en- 
 gaged in raising colts from favorite stock. Tbe anxiety 
 to see wbetber bis expectations bave been realized, causes 
 bim to watcb tbe advent of tbe colt witb as mucb concern 
 as tbe gambler looks for tbe appearance of tbe card on 
 wbicb bis last dollar bas been staked. Witb wbat soli- 
 citude be superintends its awkward attempts to draw 
 nourishment from a source it is yet unacquainted with, 
 till he is finally gratified witb bearing the lacteal fluiil 
 gTirgling down its throat, and is more than pleased wit^ii 
 tbe satisfaction it mutely expresses witb the sugary draughi!. 
 How interestedly he watches it staggering along, leaning 
 against its mother, not knowing yet how to use those limbs 
 tbat soon will be so pliant ! How much comfort is expressed 
 in tbe pantomime, wben it stretches itself on the green 
 sward, bathed in the warm rays of sunshine, tbat m 
 invigorating its frame so powerfully that only a few dayw 
 will elapse before it v/ill be gamboling, with all the grace 
 that it is possible for an animal to show. There is positive 
 affection, akin to tbe feeling for the dearest of the human 
 family, for a colt, as it Hcks the sugar from your hand, and 
 whinnies at your approach, gladly recognizing you as its 
 "next best friend." 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — I have no doubt that breeding horses is a 
 very fascinating pursuit, and that the ownership acquired 
 in that way induces warmer feelings than those that result 
 from purchase. The breeding I am going to speak of is 
 retrospective, and the teachings of the past ought to be a 
 guide for the future, in this as well as other pursuits. 
 
THE MESSENGER BLOOD. 303 
 
 Witli few exceptions, the trotters of the present day belong 
 to three famiHes or strains, the superior of which is the 
 Messenger. Messenger not only stands at the head of the 
 lis', as the remote ancestor of trotters, but it is very hard 
 to find a celebrity, accredited to the other famihes, that 
 has not some of his blood. Among the very fast ones in 
 lineal descent from him through their sires, are Geo. 
 Wilkes, Dexter, Lady Thorne and Gen. Butler — the two 
 first mentioned having a greater proportion of the blood, 
 through the inbreeding of their sire, a great grandson o" 
 the patriarch. Lady Thorne, through her dam, has also 
 a cross of the blood, viz : Gano-Eclipse-Miller's-Damsel- 
 Messenger. The Bashaws would come next, as they are 
 represented by Lady Emma, Geo. M. Patchen, Jr., and 
 Lucy. The Pilot family have Pilot Temple, Dixie, Tacky, 
 and other good ones. John Morgan, the best of this line, 
 had the Messenger cross through the sire of his dam, 
 Medoc. The once celebrated Morgan has scions, that are 
 superior to any that were on the turf in their palmy days, 
 in the mare by Ethan Allen out of the pacer Pocahontas, 
 and RoUa Gold Dust. The Messenger crops out through 
 the fleet pacer, in the same way as Lady Thorne and John 
 Morgan, she being a great grand-daughter of Eclipse ; 
 RoUa Gold Dust has, I believe, the same cross. From the 
 prevalence of Messenger blood in the section where the 
 Bashaws originated — from the imported Barb — there has 
 been a great intermingling of the streams. The stallion 
 Andrew Jackson, a grand-son of the Barb, has been the 
 occasion of their eminence. He was the sire of Henry 
 Clay, Long Island Black Hawk, Kemble Jackson, &c. His 
 dam was by "Wliy Not, by Messenger, and his grandam 
 also by Messenger. 
 
 Again : Jupiter, a son of Long Island Black Hawk, and 
 the sire of Lady Emma, had two crosses, his dam Gipsey 
 being by Almack, a grandson, and her dam by Mambrino 
 
304 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 a son of Messenger's. The best illustration, however, of 
 the breeding of trotters, in the section long celebrated for 
 having the best, is the pedigree of Rysdyk's Hambletonian, 
 universally conceded to be the most successful progenitor 
 of fast trotters, for the truth of which the record is convinc- 
 ing proof : 
 
 03 V 
 
 , Messenger 
 Marabriiio I < Sourkrout 
 
 1 dam -] ^ Whirligig 
 
 Amazonia ^ 
 
 Miss Slamerkin 
 
 / Sourkrout 
 
 a ] (^ 
 
 ( dam •< 
 
 ( M 
 ■jd! 
 
 ( imp Bellfonnder [ Messenger 
 
 Ohas. Kent mareK (. 
 
 I One Eye \ Hambletonian ( dam by Messenger 
 
 ( dam by Messenger 
 
 This pedigree shows more inbreeding than that of Lady 
 Suffolk or Ariel, which you instanced as proving that the 
 danger of incestuous crosses might not be as imminent 
 as was generally beheved, and this horse wiU gi'eatly 
 strengthen your arg-ument. His grandam, though only 
 a grand-daughter of Messenger, had five parts in eight of 
 his blood, which would give the Bellfounder mare five in 
 sixteen, and Eysdyk's Hambletonian, therefore, obtained 
 from her five in thirty-two, and from his sire, Abdallah, 
 four in thirty-two, thus giving him more of the blood than 
 his sire, though he was a grandson of Messenger. 
 
 The dam of Andrew Jackson was bred the same as 
 Hambletonian, being three-quarters Messenger, so that if 
 the Bellfounder mare had been bred to him, the colt would 
 have more Messenger blood than Rysdyk's Hambletonian, 
 though he would have been called a Bashaw. To carry 
 the illustration fiu'ther : Suppose One Eye had been bred 
 to Andrew Jackson, the progeny would have been half 
 Messenger, and one-eighth Bashaw, thus : 
 
PEDIGREES. 306 
 
 «si 
 
 
 
 
 
 — \ 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 <»>► 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 
 oa:3 
 
 
 wS 
 
 
 
 
 N^ O" 
 
 
 ^» 
 
 
 
 
 X:3 
 
 
 <ii 
 
 
 
 
 •y^^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 050 
 
 
 
 /■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 p 
 
 
 
 4-B 
 
 
 wg 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^w 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^'l 
 
 5- 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^—3 
 
 1 p 
 
 g 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 LOg 
 
 i 
 
 •^ 
 
 
 O 
 
 To call this colt a Bashaw, because his sire was in lineal 
 descent from the Barb, would be absurd, and from the fact 
 that Andrew Jackson had one-eighth more Messenger 
 than Bashaw blood, his progeny should be accredited to 
 the dominant strain, especially when we see it further 
 refi'eshed by another current, as in the case of Jupiter. 
 I am under the impression that there have been more 
 
306 HORSE FOKTEAITURE. 
 
 first-class trotters of the MesseBger blood than all others 
 put together. I could further exemplify it by numerous 
 examples, but will only cite one more instance, as tending 
 to show the good effects of this blood. 
 
 Napoleon, the grandsire of G-en. Butler, descended by 
 both sire and dam fi-om Messenger, and was a great-grand- 
 son on either side. You are given to theorizing, so you 
 can weave from this skein of facts a web that will prove 
 the breeding of trotters, as easily as you can demonstrate 
 that the hyj^othenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal to 
 the sum of the sqiiares of the other two sides. 
 
 Pupil. — I am very glad that breeding cannot be reduced 
 to a geometrical scale, as in that case the charm of uncer- 
 tainty would be broken. The most we can do is to gain 
 all the wisdom we can fi-om the experiences of the past, 
 and by a course of experiments, add to that knowledge as 
 much as oui' limited capacity will permit. I am very glad 
 that you have forsaken the French admixture in your 
 composition of a trotter, and hope that the knee action of 
 the thoroughbred can be improved, by judicious crossing 
 of the different families found to have the requisite action, 
 till you will be satisfied that in this point, as in all others, 
 they cannot be excelled. I have been wonderfully j)leased 
 with your remarks on the Messenger family, though I was 
 not prepared to learn that inbreeding had been so general. 
 The Falcon has three distinct crosses of the blood, through 
 his sire Camden, Shark, Echpse, Miller's Damsel, Mes- 
 senger. His dam was by Postboy, whose dam was 
 Garland, Young Damsel, Miller's Damsel, Messenger. His 
 great-grandam was by Bay Bolton, by TipjDO Saib, Mes- 
 senger. Young Damsel was by Hambletonian, which one 
 \ do not know. If the three-quarter bred Messenger of 
 that name, it would increase the proportion. 
 
 These three crosses in the Falcon shoidd assuredly be 
 as valuable, fi'om the balance being of the kind that Fanny 
 
CLAY AND PATCHED 307 
 
 Kemble said " alone did it quite well," as if there were a 
 mixture of French or Bellfounder blood to taint it. 
 
 Eysdyk's HambletoDian has been the most successful in 
 nicking with the blood of American Star, as his two fastest 
 sons testify. AU that I ever heard of the pedigrees of 
 American Star was, that he was by Henry, though I have 
 seen several of his colts, and they all show a great deal 
 of blood in theii* appearance, so much so, that I think he 
 must have been thoroughbred, or these colts from very 
 well-bred mares. Clipper is a great-gTandson of Messenger, 
 his dam being by Whip, Comet, and her dam by Messenger. 
 Pilot, Jr.'s, dam was a great-grand-daughter of Sir Archy. 
 I have yet to see the first instance of a horse being a successful 
 getter of trotters that was not strongly imbued icith racing blood. 
 If diluted till the proportion of cold blood is greater 
 than the pure, the animal will be a failure, and I would 
 under no consideration breed from even a scion of the 
 Messenger stock, that was impregnated with much mongrel 
 blood. Had the inbreeding of Rysdyk's Hambletonian, 
 been on the Bellfounder in place of the Messenger, I have 
 no doubt that he would have been as pre-eminently worth- 
 less as he now is good. Cassius M. Clay takes a front 
 rank as a breeder, and if his renown only rested on the 
 . paternity of Geo. M. Patchen, it would be glory enough, 
 as he was, without doubt, the very foremost trotter of them 
 all. His numerous contests with Flora Temple were 
 remarkable, while his private time was such as no horse 
 ever exhibited, and gave a color of truth to the report 
 that he could have trotted much faster in public, if that 
 had suited the " book " of his managei*. Cassius M. Clay 
 was by Henry Clay, and out of the dam of John Anderson. 
 I have seen an advertisement in the Old Spirit, that John 
 Anderson's dam was imported Vestris, by Charles the XII. 
 Never having heard before of this highly bred imported 
 mare being claimed as an ancestress for Clay or Patchen, 
 
308 HOKSE POETEAITUEE. 
 
 I only offer it for what it is worth ; if true, the stock 
 would be greatly enhanced in my estimation. Patchen 
 had also a Trustee cross which, without doubt helped him, 
 the get of Trustee having proved themselves trotters able 
 to go both fast and far. 
 
 The jpedigree of Andrew Jackson shows another Mes- 
 senger cross which you have overlooked. The dam of 
 Young Bashaw was by Bond's First Consul, his grandam 
 by Messenger, his great-grandam by Rockingham. This 
 would add one-sixteenth more Messenger blood to Andrew 
 Jackson, making seven-sixteenths ia all. No wonder, when 
 he was so near thoroughbred as his pedigree shows, that 
 William T. Porter wrote, in the Turf Register of 1840, that 
 "with the exception of Andrew Jackson, for whom $5,000 
 has been refused, Abdallah is the finest limbed and most 
 blood-like trottiag stallion we ever saw." The sire of 
 Young Bashaw's dam, Bond's First Consul, was a capital 
 race horse, winning twenty-one races and upwards of 
 $10,000 in purses alone, never suffering defeat till he was 
 eight years old. This great progenitor of trotters (Andrew 
 Jackson), having nearly all racing blood in his veins, helps 
 to establish the truth of my theory, that the thoroughbred 
 is the only one to depend on for continuing the species. 
 I will continue Mr. Porter's remarks about Abdallah : 
 "He was got by the celebrated Mambrino (the son of 
 imported Messenger) out of Mr. Treadwell's equally as 
 celebrated road mare, Amazonia, who for ten years, or 
 more, had no superior on the road. Abdallah is a beauti- 
 ful bay without white, fifteen hands three inches high. 
 He was shghtly trained at fours years old, and was consid- 
 ered the fastest horse on Long Island. No purses being 
 offered at that time for trotting, Mr. T. put him in the 
 breeding stud," &c. &c. I have read that the Amazonia 
 was a well-bred mare, and that she was a daughter or 
 grand-daughter of Messenger, but cannot recall where I 
 
BLOOD OF MAMBKINO. 809 
 
 saw it. So we will have to be contented to rest on her 
 qualities as a roadster. The breeding of his sire is unques- 
 tionable, though I have heard many claim that he was 
 only half-bred. I quote from the Turf Register of 1840, 
 "Pedigree of Mambrino:" 
 
 "The following certificate given by his breeder, Col Lewis 
 Morris, leaves no doubt of the purity of his blood : — 
 
 ' I certify that the bay colt bred by me, three years old 
 the 16th of last month, was got by old Messenger, his dam 
 by Sourkrout, gTandam by Whirligig, gi*eat-gi'andam Miss 
 Slamerkin, by Wildair, out of the imported Cub mare. 
 
 ' Given under my hand at Morrisania. 
 
 'June 19th, 1810. Lewis Mokkis.'" 
 
 Mambrino, then, was thoroughbred, and to those who 
 would argue that Abdallah was indebted to the road mare 
 for his trotting qualities, I would say that Mambrino 
 proved his capacity to entail this qualification through 
 other, branches of the family, as the many descendants 
 gracing the track at this day abundantly prove. 
 
 From this desultory talk you may imagine that the web 
 I am trying to weave is much " tattered and torn " before 
 it leaves the loom. But the trouble is that, amidst the 
 abundance of material for warp and woof, the time is 
 limited to construct even a short piece, and I am throwing 
 the shuttle almost at random, leaving threads of different 
 color in an incongruous mass that would form a very 
 handsome pattern if care and time were taken to get each 
 one in the right mesh of the hiddles. 
 
 The deductions drawn fi'om the consideration of the 
 pedigrees and performances of these animals and their 
 descendants would naturally be, that in the Messenger 
 strain there is a manifest tendency to a fast trotting gait, 
 that it is so powerful in this particular that it overbalances 
 contaminating streams, and that those animals having the 
 most racing blood mixed with the Messenger have been 
 
 14 
 
310 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 tlie most successful breeders ; and I hope to show that if 
 the same care had been taken in keeping- the pedigrees of 
 trotters pure that there has been with race horses, the 
 proportion of fast ones would have been materially in- 
 creased, with much more symmetry of form, and greater 
 powers of endurance. I also expect to show that racing 
 and trotting are not antagonistical qualities, but that the 
 same animal which is so conspicuous as the progenitor of 
 trotters, has been equally famed for transmitting racing 
 qualities to his descendants. For the truth of this state- 
 ment we wiU again bring on to the witness-stand the 
 noted mare Ariel. She ran fifty-seven races, winning 
 forty-two of them — seventeen at four-mile heats — traveling 
 at least three thousand miles in her peregrinations from 
 one race course to another, nearly every mile on foot. 
 She raced from the banks of the Hudson river, on the 
 classic courses of the Old Domuiion, to the flowering 
 plains of Georgia, and inhaled the genial air wafted from 
 orange groves by the breeze that dimpled the gulf at 
 Charleston, S. C, beating the fleetest short stock their 
 J'avorite distances, and outlasting the gamest of the game 
 in the tr^nng ordeal of four heats of four miles each, 
 irunning a third heat in 7 :57, Trumpator beating her only 
 a few feet when she won the fourth in 8 :04. This was on 
 the Newmarket (Virginia) Course, where the best time for 
 a first heat was Henry's — 7 :54 — proving those of Ariel the 
 very best on record. In imitation of yoiu^ example, I will 
 give her pedigree to the fifth generation to show the man- 
 ner of her inbreeding to Messenger : — 
 
PEDIGREE OP ARIEL 
 
 311 
 
 'Daroc 
 
 ■ Eclipse - 
 
 w Miller's Damsel 
 
 f Diomede 
 L Amanda 
 f Messenger 
 l^dam 
 
 Florizel 
 
 *riel i 
 
 \ 
 
 I da 
 
 I dam by Spectator 
 Grey Diomede 
 
 dam by Bedford 
 JIambrino 
 
 dam, . 
 
 Financier 
 
 Empress. 
 
 {Tippo Saib 
 dam 
 
 r Baronet 
 
 dam by Turf. 
 Pot 8 OS 
 
 dam by Gimcrack 
 Messenger 
 
 ( M 
 |di 
 
 am by Northumberland 
 Messenger 
 
 I dam by Bashaw 
 , Vertumnus 
 
 dam. 
 
 ( dam by Snap 
 ( Messenger 
 
 ( dam by Snap 
 
 The Basliaw in this pedigree was a brother to Miss 
 Slamerkin, the great-grandam of Mambrino. It will be need- 
 less to look for further illustrations of the racing qualities 
 of Messenger's stock — many of them as good as ever 
 answered the bugle's call to saddle and start. Ariel had 
 five-sixteenths of the blood, a thirty-second part more 
 than Rysdyk's Hambletonian. Those two inbred animals 
 being respectively on the topmost round of fame, are apt 
 illustrations of the value of the blood for both gaits. The 
 bell is sounding its welcome invitation to dinner ; after we 
 enjoy that, with your permission, I will resume, and further 
 show the plan I believe the best for breeding trotters. 
 
CHAPTEE XXII. 
 
 DKLIGHTS OF TOBACCO — FOUNDATION OP THE AMERICAN TKOTTER 
 ON THE BLOOD HOKSE. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — We will walk leisurely to the stable while 
 Bmoking, so that the cigars will be finished by the time 
 we get there. Yoiu- caution in not permitting any one to 
 smoke in the stable is proper, and whoever would take 
 offence at being requested to observe this rule would have 
 very little sense. The dried and powdered excrements of 
 horses is a material almost as tenacious in holding fire, 
 and as quick to ignite, as tinder. A stumj) of a cigar is 
 thrown aside; it falls through a crack in the floor which 
 has been the receptacle of the sweepings, where it gives no 
 warning till it breaks out fierce and overpowering. Such 
 a disaster as that which occured at the Eiverside Park 
 ought to admonish all when approaching stables, never to 
 smoke even in their vicinity. 
 
 As soon as the horses have eaten their feed, we will send 
 May to the blacksmith, to whom I have given the ne- 
 cessary instructions for shoeing, so that we need not ac- 
 compauy her. Never IMind can be brushed, the bandages 
 removed, his legs hand-riibbed lightly for a quarter of an 
 hour, his bed put to rights, &c. The advantage a loose 
 box possesses over a stall would be of service in this case, 
 as I would much prefer that he should not be disturbed, 
 excepting to take a short wallc of a mile or so when the 
 others go out. But as Jane has to be walked two hours 
 
IKJUET BY LYIISTG ON THE SHOE. 313 
 
 and Mavourneen driven, we cannot avoid brealiing in on 
 his privacy. The practice of going into a stable at all 
 hours of the day and night cannot be too severely rep- 
 robated. Horses engaged in fast work should be encour- 
 aged to lie down as much as possible, saving both their 
 temper and legs — their temper by not being irritated by 
 needless disturbance, and their legs by not having to 
 sustain the weight of the body when tired or the muscles 
 relaxed, following the tension of hard work. The loose 
 box not only permits of more privacy, but a horse will lie 
 down, when not restrained with a halter, that otherwise 
 would stand. 
 
 It would appear, when a horse is lying on a good bed 
 of straw, that for the time being he is safe. There are 
 horses, however, that have a trick of injuring themselves 
 in this situation, by resting the elbow on the shoe, which 
 often results in serious injury, making an enlargement that 
 is extremely difficult to get rid of, and if allowed to run 
 for a length of time, requiring a surgical operation to cure. 
 So inveterate is the habit in some horses that it cannot be 
 cured in any way, save by enveloping the foot with rags, 
 or having a soft cushion to draw over the hoof. I have 
 seen men use a circle of metal six or eight inches in 
 diameter, which they placed around the pastern ; this 
 only effected the transfer of the injiuy to another part. 
 A metal projection is useful when a horse has the habit 
 of standing with one foot on the other, and I have known 
 horses to do this until the coronet has been injured so 
 much as to cause a morbid growth of horn, to the great 
 detriment of the foot. The cushioning shoiild be put on 
 at the very outset, as, after the swelling occasioned by the 
 pressui'e has got to a suppiu'ating stage, the cushion will 
 irritate it, and prevent the heaUng. It is a very annoying 
 habit, and the cure is so much more difficult than preven- 
 
314 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 tion, that I always watch very closely to see if any of the 
 horses are likely to aequu-e it. 
 
 Pupil. — Accident discovered to me a manner of prevent- 
 ing this self-inflicted injury, after I had puzzled my brain 
 in every way to find a remedy. I had a large five-year- 
 old stallion that persisted in lying on the shoe, in spite of 
 all my eflbrts to prevent him. He was tied in a stall, so I 
 removed him to a loose box, plentifully littered with 
 straw, though no benefit accrued from his occupying it. 
 Every movement he heard, he would dart to the window, 
 and paw the dii-t floor into deep holes. We were forced 
 to tie him up during the day, which did not stop his paw- 
 ing, so that he had a depression in front of him of at least 
 a foot deeper than were he stood. One day I saw him ly- 
 ing down with his feet in the hole, and I was struck at 
 once with the favorable position. His halter was tied 
 so that he could not get back on the comparatively 
 level surface sufficiently far to bend his legs under him, 
 and he was forced to remain with his feet in the hole. I 
 immediately dug out his old stall in the same manner, 
 tied him so that he could not go back further than I 
 desired, and had the gratification to find the removal 
 of the swelling — which was as large as the clenched fist — 
 take place. In a short time, he was well. I kept the stall 
 as it was for some time after he was completely cui'ed, and 
 when once more placed on a level surface, he had con- 
 tracted the habit of lying in a position that did not injure 
 the elbow, and I never had any trouble with him from that 
 cause afterwards. 
 
 Pregeptoe. — Fortune has often been the means of dis- 
 coveries that had eluded the peneti-ation of those who 
 were renowned for foresight, and the most wonderful 
 efforts of genius have fallen short of the benefits derived 
 from some stroke of good luck. The swinging of a 
 chandelier in a cathedral, the fall of an apple, the laziness 
 
E]S"JOTMENTS OF SMOKIN-G. 315 
 
 of a boy wliose duty it was to monotonously pull a valve 
 for tlie admission of steam, are illustrations. The meas- 
 ureiaent of time, the laws of gravitation, and the useful- 
 ness of that power which has done so much for the wel- 
 fare and civilization of mankind are due to this, and to the 
 observation that saw their efl'ects, and made them avail- 
 able for practical uses. You deserve commendation for 
 seeing the benefit that fortune had put in your way, and 
 though it is laughable to compare this discovery with the 
 grand results above mentioned, still, httle things are of 
 importance, and I am much obliged to you for teaching 
 me a way to ciu'e a habit that has often given me much 
 uneasiness. I cannot see why it would not result as favor- 
 ably in other cases as in the one you mention, and I can- 
 not perceive any bad results that would be likely to arise. 
 The horse when standing would be on the level, and it 
 would only prevent him from getting his head in an easy 
 position for repose. I should certainly prefer this evil to 
 a capped and ulcerated elbow, which would effectually 
 hinder him from going fast. Favor me with another cigar, 
 and we will take our seat under that spreading, thick- 
 leaved oak, when you can continue your disquisitions on 
 breeding. There is danger of these cigars tempting me 
 into an immoderate use of them, and although at the time 
 I considered your description of the enjoyments of smok- 
 ing in the woods as a raphsody, it seems now none too 
 highly colored, and I can realize the feeHngs you por- 
 trayed. 
 
 PuFiL. — I might, like the Irishman recommending the 
 mounbain dew, urge that there is not a headache in a hogs- 
 head of such tobacco. I can assuredly warrant that there 
 is not a deleterious article in the manufacture. When 
 
 P says cigars are imported, you can safely wager 
 
 they are from the isle that can alone grow the benign 
 weed in full perfection. If you thought I rhaj)Sodized in 
 
316 ■ HOESE POETRAITURE. 
 
 describing the forest smoke, what will you think of the 
 following lines by the "Gentle Eha: " 
 
 " Scent to matcli thy rich perfume 
 Chemic art did ne'er presume ; 
 Through her quaint alembic strain, 
 None so sovereign to the brain ; 
 Nature, that did in thee excel. 
 Framed again no second smell ; 
 Roses, violets, but toys 
 For the smaller sort of boys, 
 Of of gTeener damsels meant ; — 
 Thou art the only manly scent." 
 
 Preceptor. — It strikes me you have broken off rather 
 abruptly in your quotation. Do not the subsequent lines 
 read something like this : 
 
 " Stinking'st of the stinking kind. 
 Filth of the mouth, and fog of the mind ; 
 Africa, that brags her foison. 
 Breeds no such prodigious poison ; 
 Henbane, nightshade, both together. 
 Hemlock, aconite." 
 
 Pupil. — Certainly, though he gives his reasons for rail- 
 ing; and how fondly he returns to his first love: 
 
 " And a seat, too, 'mongst the joys 
 Of the blessed tobacco boys ; 
 Where, though I, by sour physician. 
 Am debarred the full fruition 
 Of thy favors, I may catch 
 Some collateral sweets, and snatch 
 Sidelong odors, that give life 
 Like glances from a neighbor's wife ; 
 And still live in the by-places 
 And the surburbs of thy graces. 
 And in thy borders take delight, 
 An unconquered Canaauite." 
 
CHAELES LAMB. 317 
 
 Where would he have found words to express his devo- 
 tion, if he had been favored with KiUikinick, in place of 
 the harsh old "cut and dried/' or had a hundred or two 
 of these Principes to awaken reveries. Even then he 
 could not have surpassed his "Dream Children," one of 
 the most exquisite creations of the fancy I am acquainted 
 with. I can hardly bring my thoughts back from wander- 
 ing after shadowy forms, that melt away like a vision, to 
 the consideration of pedigrees and trotters. Yet Lamb, 
 lame and weakly as he was, appreciated the delights a 
 gallant steed could give. Listen to the description of 
 their uncle to the Dream Children : — " Then, in a some- 
 what more heightened tone, I told how, though their 
 great-grandmother Field loved all her grandchildi^n, 
 yet, in an especial manner, she might be said to love their 
 
 uncle Jno. L , because he was so handsome and 
 
 spirited a youth, and a king to the rest of us, and, instead 
 of moping in solitary corners like some of us, he would 
 mount the most mettlesome steed he could get, when but 
 an imp no bigger than themselves, and make it carry him 
 over half the count} in a morning, and join the hunters 
 when they were out; and yet he loved the old great house 
 and gardens, too, but had too much spirit always to be 
 pent up within their boundaries; and how their uncle 
 grew up to man's estate as brave as he was handsome, to 
 the admiration of everybody, but of their great-grand- 
 mother Field especially; and how he used to carry me on 
 his back when I was a lame-footed boy — for he was a good 
 deal older than me — many a mile, when I could not walk 
 for pain." 
 
 I did not find this in the Turf Hegister which I have 
 brought along, but I could repeat the whole of that essay, 
 as I have read it over and over, and always found some- 
 thing new to admire in it. I can see John L bound- 
 ing over hill and dale on the spirited hunter, thereby 
 14* 
 
318 HORSE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 gaining strength, to carry tlie j)oor lame-footed boy when 
 weary. A true, unselfish loYe for the horse is always ac- 
 companied by strong feelings for those bound to us by the 
 ties of kindred, more especially when they are unable, from 
 bodily weakness, to join in that which gives so much de- 
 light. As a prelude to the topic under consideration, I 
 will read from the Turf Register of 1829 a pedigree of 
 Messenger, and also refer to it for proof that the American 
 trotter had his foundation on the blood horse : — 
 
 " Messenger was got by Mambrino, his dam by Tm'f, gran- 
 dam by Eegulus, out of a sister to Fig-uraute, by Starling, 
 out of Snap's dam. He covered in the Middle States, and 
 his colts are the handsomest and finest horses for all uses 
 of any stallion ever imported into this country; but, owing 
 to the prohibiting of racing in Pennsylvania by an act 
 of the Legislature, his stock has not such a chance of 
 distinguishing themselves on the turf. For the saddle, 
 draught, etc., they are unequaled." 
 
 According to Mr. Van Eanst — his part owner — ^he was 
 foaled in 1780 — commencing his career on the turf in 1783 
 where he was quite successful. His first seasons were 
 made in Pennsylvania, and j^erhaps it was as well that a 
 bigoted House of Representatives should have clogged the 
 enterprise of breeding good horses, as thereby his stock 
 had the opportunity of signalizing themselves on the road 
 in place of the turf. On his removal to New York, the re- 
 striction was partly done away with, and he there had the 
 benefit of a few blood mares to perpetuate the qualities 
 that otherwise would have been lost. For proof of this, look 
 at the number of successful sires that have sprung fi-om 
 his location in New York, while I have no knowledge of 
 any of his get in Pennsylvania that are distinguished in 
 that respect. His offspring there were at the top of the 
 tree, as far as performances went, but they had not blood 
 enough to give their descendants the same qualifications. 
 
messenger's location fortunate. 319 
 
 Mambrino, Potomac, Eclipse, Lance, Hambletonian, Tippo 
 Saib, Tippo Sultan, Postboy, etc., all give him such a 
 luster, that he could afford to loan to other families a sur- 
 plus, as you have exemphfied in the case of the Bashaws, 
 and still be o.ccredited as the greatest progenitor of 
 trotters. 
 
 Before dinner I could not remember the pedigree of 
 young Damsel, the grandam of Postboy. I distincly re- 
 call it to mind now, and wonder that I could have been so 
 forgetful. She was by Hambletonian, the son of Messen- 
 ger, and had, therefore, the same amoim^t of Messenger 
 blood as One Eye, the grandam of Rysdyk's Hambleton- 
 ian. Messenger's location in the section, that was to be 
 the recognized headquarters of trotting sport, was fortunate 
 for the establishment of a sport, which has made the 
 American roadster superior to those of all other countries; 
 and also fortunate in developing his stock as the best for 
 that j)urpose. Suppose his location had been in Virginia, 
 Carolina, Tennessee, or Kentucky. The success of his 
 colts on the turf would have been beyond the wonderful 
 performances the record now gives his descendants. He 
 would have got fifty thoroughbred mares where he had one 
 in Pennsylvania, and the owners of those colts would have 
 felt .insulted at a request to make trotters of them, and 
 the very men who have assisted in developing the fast 
 trotting gait of hundreds of Messengers, would have 
 laughed at the idea of making trotters of Messenger's 
 colts. Hence, I say, it has been fortunate, alike for horse 
 and trotting sport, that his location was in New York. 
 His blood was disseminated over the whole eastern coun- 
 try, from Maine to Lake Erie; and not only his, but many 
 high-bred scions of other famiHes, went from the Long 
 Island turf to enrich those places with a valuable stock of 
 road horses. 
 
 When I have been arguing with men on the necessity 
 
320 HOESE POETEAITURE. 
 
 of blood in trotters, I have been met with, what they con- 
 sidered convincing proof, that until late years there never 
 was a thoroughbred horse in the New England States. 
 They would ridicule the idea that there ever were any 
 "running races" in Boston, unless of the scrub kind, and, 
 when proven, would only admit a fact they coidd not 
 longer dispute, but qualify it with the assertion that the 
 horses that ran in them were carried there, and on the 
 conclusion of the races taken back. Tell them that 
 Admiral Coffin imported Barefoot to Boston, or that men 
 purchased blood horses for stud purposes, taking them to 
 their homes on the banks of the Kennebec, or among the 
 green hills that bordered Lake Champlain on the east, 
 and they would be moved to laughter so boisterous that 
 they would almost be in the state of Dr. Holmes' patient, 
 who frightened him from afterwards writing anything " as 
 funny as he could. " Mr. Van Ilanst sold Defiance, by 
 Florizel, to go to Northern N. Y. ; Cock of the Kock, by 
 Duroc, out of Romj), by Messenger, to General Barnum, 
 nf Vermont; Dinwiddle, by Diomede, dam by Wildair, to 
 n company at Utica, N. Y. ; Selah, by Bussorah Arabian, 
 .lam by Messenger, to Saratoga County, N. Y.; Callender, 
 •)y Echpse, his dam by Sir Ai'chy, to Washington County, 
 N. Y.; Liberty, by Dinwiddle, dam Miller's Maid, by 
 Dui-oc, grandam Miller's Damsel, by Messenger, to Bran- 
 don, Vermont. At that day, 1825, the blood horse was 
 recognized to be the one to breed from, though twenty-five 
 years later they were carried away by false lights after the 
 splattering little Morgans, and part-bred Canucks, which, 
 by an infusion of racing blood, were redeemed fi-om utter 
 worthlessness; yet if you show me a region where a trot- 
 ter, worthy of the name, has been bred, I will undertake 
 to prove that, at no distant day, the blood horse was there 
 and prepared the way. There are exceptions, as in every- 
 thing else, though I am acquainted with but one of any 
 
TKOTTERS OF THE OLDEN TIME. 821 
 
 weight — St. Lawrence. I will read from the same volume 
 of the Turf Register an account of the horses at the Hunt- 
 ing Park Course, at Philadelphia, where many a hard con- 
 test for fame was made by the trotters of the olden time, 
 and a correspondent of the English (porting Magazine sent 
 this account of the notabilities of that day, appended to 
 reports of the trotting thereon : — 
 
 "Top Gallant, by Hambletonian, trotted in harness 
 twelve miles in thirty-eight minutes, and three miles, 
 saddle, in eight minutes thirty-one seconds. He is now 
 nineteen years old, and can trot his mile with one hundred 
 and fii^y pounds in 2 :45. 
 
 "Betsey Baker, by Mambrino, beat Top Gallant, saddle, 
 one hundred and fifty pounds, in 8:16, and when sound, 
 could do her twenty miles within the hour. 
 
 "Trouble, by Hambletonian — good bottom — did two 
 miles in harnes in 5 :25. 
 
 "Sceewdeiver; dam Bull, by Mound HoUy, beat Betsey 
 Balcer the last heat by a neck. Time, first heat, 8 :02 ; 
 second, 8:10. 
 
 " Sir Petek, by Hambletonian, in 1828, three miles in 
 harness in 8:16. 
 
 "Whalebone, by Hambletonian, three miles in harness 
 in 8:18. These two. Sir Peter and Whalebone, can be 
 matched either against Rattler or Tom Thumb, now in 
 England, for any amount. Rattler is from an English im- 
 ported horse out of a Canadian mare, and Tom Thumb is 
 a Naragansett, an excellent breed of trotters, but their or- 
 igin is unknown. 
 
 " Shazspeaee, by Hambletonian, three miles, saddle, in 
 8:16." 
 
 A pretty good "show" of trotters for A. D., 1829. 
 Three miles in 8 :02, I think, is equivalent to 7 :35 now-a- 
 days. One more quotation from the Turf Register of 1833 
 ''Paul Pry. — This fine trotter, whose performance of 
 
322 HOESE POETRAITURE. 
 
 eighteen miles under fifty-nine minutes we recorded last 
 week, is an exceedingly well-bred horse. He was got by 
 Mount Holly, out of a Hambletonian, bred by Gen. Coles, 
 His grandsire was old Massenger. Paul Pry is now nine 
 years old, bred on Long Island, and previous to his gi-eat 
 trotting was only in training five weeks. Those who bet 
 against each quarter, from sixteen and a quarter miles, 
 placed judges, at each of them to see in which he would 
 tire out, but the fi-esh condition in which the horse complet- 
 ed a quarter of a mile more than was needed, saved these 
 gentlemen the trouble of their office. Hiram Woodi-uff, 
 the boy who rode him, deserved much praise. His seat 
 was beautiful, and his judgment excellent. He was dressed 
 in a new suit in the true jockey style, and the whole affair 
 gave great satisfaction, and proved Pavil Pry to be a horse 
 of first-rate bottom. We heartily congratulate his owner 
 on the possession of so fine an animal." 
 
 Illustrations showing that the older trotters were gener- 
 ally of good blood, could be multiplied till the consideration 
 would be tiresome. Those of the present day show the 
 same characteristics, or a preponderance of Messenger 
 blood from inbreeding overcoming that of the inferior 
 animals in their generalogy. With a few instances of our 
 time I will close. The horse, AbdaUah, which the gueriUas 
 captured of Mr. Alexander, was the sire of the famous 
 mare belonging to Mr, Goldsmith. He was by Eysdyk's 
 Hambletonian, his dam by Bay Roman, by Membrino, by 
 Mambrino, his grandam by Membrino. The sire of Squire 
 Bingham — Major Windfield — is by Eysdyk's Hambleton- 
 ian, dam by imported Margrave, grandam by Trumpator. 
 Open a paper that contains the advertisements of the 
 trotting stallions for this year, and the most successful in 
 propagating fast animals will be those having the best 
 blood. Probably the largest sum ever paid for a trotting 
 yearling was the amount it took to purchase the Hambleton- 
 
MESSENGER AND SIR ARCHT. 323 
 
 ian, bred by Mr. Bacliman — understood to be five thou- 
 sand dollars — his dam by Waldeck's Messenger, by Wildair, 
 out of a Messenger Mare, and liis grandam by Mambrino. 
 Considering these cases — that are taken from the records 
 without exercising much care in the selection, but copied 
 as I came to them — your ground that there have been more 
 trotters of the Messenger strain than all others put to- 
 gether is incontrovertible. 
 
 Messenger stood for nearly twenty years in the neigh- 
 borhood of New York, and from his popularity and low 
 price of service — eight dollars to insure — had all the busi- 
 ness he could do. PeojDle were so well satisfied with the 
 value of his blood, that they sought so obtain as much of 
 it as they could, even resorting to incestuous crosses to 
 further this end. The fine road horses of the first gen- 
 eration were succeeded by the fast trotters of the second 
 and third, and the numerous progeny in that section were 
 the best they had for the tui'f, road, and track. The only 
 parallel case in breeding with which I am acquainted is that 
 of Sir Archy. The great age to which he lived — the same 
 as Messenger, 28 years — and the value of his stock, brought 
 him so much patronage that in all probability there never 
 was a living horse with so numerous a family. Close 
 inbreeding produced no ill efi'ects that I could ever discover. 
 Some of the fastest of their day were double Archy s. George 
 Martin, by a son, his dam a daughter, conquered those 
 hitherto deemed in%'incible, and placed himself among the 
 very first for speed and bottom. Fashion's dam, the re- 
 nowned Bonnets o' Blue, was bred in the same way. To 
 enumerate Sir Archy's victorious descendants, and write 
 their names, would appear like the index of the American 
 Stud Book, as there has hardly been a good, or a very 
 good, race horse on the American turf not related to him, 
 generally in direct descent. It is not improbable that, if 
 Sir Archy had occupied Messenger's place, he would have 
 
324 HOESE POKTKAITURE. 
 
 been the Highflyer of the trotting turf, as he now is of the 
 running. Premising that Rysdyk's Hambletouian is now 
 the most successful modern sire of trotters, and that his 
 fastest sons have been the result of crossing with well-bred 
 mares, as instanced by the Stars and others showing good 
 breeding, I would select the very best bred mares I could 
 find with Messenger, Trustee, and Sir Archy blood, to 
 breed to him. But as the present price of his services is 
 beyond the reach of those who breed to make money, I 
 would breed to the son or grandson that had the most 
 blood and the best form. 
 
 Now I will probably startle you, and others will look 
 still wilder at what they will consider the gross heresies of 
 my belief. They must grant me the merit of sincerity, as 
 I have no ulterior object in view, and am led to promulgate, 
 what I consider the best system of breediug, from no 
 interested motives whatever. Forty or fifty years ago, in 
 England, to have averred that the thorougbred would make 
 the best hunter to carry weight would have subjected the 
 proposer to as much sarcasm as awaits the advocate of 
 the blood horse for fast trotting, among a certain set at the 
 present day. While it is admitted that the theory has 
 been proved correct, regarding the horse to go across the 
 country, the set that I speak of can see no analogy be- 
 tween that and fast trotting. Essays were written at that 
 time to prove that the configuration of the blood horse 
 was totally opposed to leaping; that the low, daisy- cutting 
 stride would break the rider's neck on rough ground, 
 while the intervention of ditches, hedges, and high timber 
 fences would as effectually stop him, as if anchored with 
 the best bower of a seventy-four. The arguments were 
 reiterated, while the horse himseK was improving by 
 further admixtui-es of blood, till the very best hunters in 
 the kingdom had as fine pedigrees as the Derby or St. 
 Leger winners ; and in the face of this, there were still 
 
A farmer's stud of trotters. 325 
 
 those who could not believe anything different from what 
 their grandfathers beHeved, and would not acknowledge 
 defeat. The improvement in the stamina and pace of the 
 hounds necessitated the change, as it would have been 
 impossible for the best hunters of "fifty years since" to 
 have kept in sight of a pacTx of the modern flyers for 
 twenty minutes. 
 
 With the teachings of the past before us, would not 
 Messenger be as likely to get fast trotters as his renowned 
 inbred great-grandson ? Would not Mambrino ? Who would 
 not be better pleased if the Chas. Kent mare had been by 
 Trustee, instead of Bellfounder ? Has Hambletonian gained 
 from that blood any advantages that are superior to the 
 thoroughbred crosses, of which he has so many ? I think 
 no well-informed horseman will claim that he has. Who 
 would not prefer Ariel for a brood mare to breed trotters 
 from, to one with the same amount of Messenger, but 
 French, Bellfounder and Morgan in the place of the pureo: 
 streams ? The wealthy gentleman in Orange County, whose 
 stud of trotters is probably superior to any other in extent, 
 who has spared no expense in everything connected with 
 it to make it the best in the world, who has been so lavish 
 in his expenditures that his farm is a model in everything 
 appertaining to breeding, merits the sincere well-wishes of 
 all who are interested in the development of the American 
 roadster. From an account I read lately, he has twenty- 
 six brood mares, a majority of them being by American 
 Star, the others, Long Island ; Black Hawk, Bellfounder, 
 General Gifford, Vermont Hambletonian, Canadian, Harry 
 Clay, and one by Old Abdallah, with a colt by Hamble- 
 tonian. The author of this account saw an inbred Bell- 
 founder mare, displaying the historical characteristics of 
 that breed, which he appears not to value very highl3\ 
 All these mares had been bred to Rysdyk's Hambletonian, 
 making a bill of thirteen thousand dollars for the horse's 
 
326 HOESE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 services alone. I anxiously trust he will be remunerated 
 for the enterpi'ise, but it strikes me that it must have been 
 hard to find that number of mares, which from breeding 
 and form, could all be advantageously bred to the same 
 horse. Had he selected those of the finest blood to breed 
 to Hambletonian, and put the others to a thorougbred that 
 had form, size and a good trotting step, I think the pro- 
 geny would have been better. Planet is said to show 
 nearly a three-minute gait when allowed to trot in his 
 exercise. A colt from imported Bonnie Scotland, three 
 years old — and I presume the only one of his get that has 
 been trained to that gait — trotted verj' fast last season. 
 He was in a colt stake at Chicago, but was taken with the 
 distemper, and had to be laid by. The stake was won by 
 a thi'ee-y ear-old, the get of the Falcon, distancing in three 
 minutes her only competitor. She is sixteen hands and 
 an inch high, and had only been harnessed a few times 
 before the trot. Another of the Falcon's get, a four-year- 
 old, won the stake for that age, distancing a granddaughter 
 of Rysdyk's Hambletonian the third heat in 2 :47 ; the 
 track very heavy. I saw the four-year-old trot in thirty- 
 six early in the season, and had he been in hands that 
 knew how to train him judiciously, I think he would have 
 been at the head of the hst as a four-year-old trotter. 
 
 Now for my heterodox notions. I would prefer to breed 
 from Planet or Bonnie Scotland, having thoroughbred 
 mares of proper form, size, and step, with as much Mes- 
 senger and Trustee blood as I could get, than from even 
 the famed Hambletonian. I do not want to take away 
 one iota of the well-merited fame of Mr. Rysdyk's horse, 
 and had I a breeding establishment where I could send a 
 mare or two of pure blood to him, and was rich enough 
 to afford the outlay, I should certainly do so in order to 
 get the Messenger blood, of which he has as much as any 
 living horse, and probably more. I should hope that the 
 
THEOET OF BREEDING. 327 
 
 produce would be a filly to breed to the thoroughbred that 
 would suit me, as I think when there is a difference, the 
 male parent ought to be the one without the flaw. But I 
 would be afraid of that coarse Bellfounder cross, trusting 
 however, that it would never make its appearance. I think 
 when the produce of that inbred Bellfounder mare and 
 Hambletonian is old enough to show for itself, these ideas 
 will be verified. It may be thought invidious to say any- 
 thing against the system pTu:sued in Orange County, which 
 has resulted in producing so many good animals, but "ex- 
 celsior" must be the breeder's motto, and to get still higher, 
 depend upon it, racing blood will only do. You are un- 
 doubtedly enough bored, for the present, with my breed- 
 ing speculations. With the breeding-farm and the sub- 
 sequent conversations, I have pretty well exhibited my 
 partialities. Should any one differ with me in my con- 
 clusions, the study of trotting pedigrees — some of them 
 mixed tip consumedly — will do them no injury. If racing 
 had been carried on without any more attention to liorse 
 heraldry than trotting has, the breeding of race horses 
 would have been ten times the lottery it now is. May we 
 not hope that from a like attention being paid to the 
 trotting families, the chances of breeding fast ones will 
 be very much increased, and a genealogical tree, free from 
 stains, be considered as essential to the harness as the 
 racing stallion ? 
 
 Preceptor. — I will neither assent nor dissent at present 
 from the inferences you have drawn. The trotter, of 
 course, has to be bred before he can be trained, and there 
 is not much danger that our talk on the subject will be a 
 waste o time. It is a subject of interest to those who 
 buy, as well as those who breed trotters. The day has 
 gone by when the remark was thought smart, "I do not 
 
 care a for his pedigTce; let me see him move," and 
 
 those consequential gentlemen who could tell at a glance 
 
328 HOKSE POKTRAITURE. 
 
 just what a horse could do, do not find so many dupes 
 as formerly. Your driving will now fully occupy the 
 time you have to spare. Loan me the book while you 
 are engaged, as I believe I have no particular instruc- 
 tions to give regarding the management of those to be 
 worked. I may go away before you are through. You 
 have the directions what to do with Never Mind. The rest 
 need no change. 
 
CHAPTEE XXIII. 
 
 JBAXOUSY OF TRAINERS — AFTER THE SWEAT — RULES TO BE OB- 
 SERVED — DIRECTIONS HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE HORSES. 
 
 PBECEPTorw. — You look a little wearied this morning. I 
 hope the pedigrees did not keep you from sleeping; I 
 thought you got pretty well rid of them, and had left none 
 to be a burden to you. 
 
 Pupil. — Nevertheless they did worry me. When I went 
 to bed thinking of the conversation we held, it appeared 
 as though better illustrations came to my mind than any 
 I had offered; and when I fell asleep, the subject that 
 engrossed my waking hours got a still firmer hold of my 
 mind, now untrammeled by the corporeal frame. Pedigrees 
 of men and horses were mixed up in tangled confusion, and 
 centaurs performed around me in mazy elvolutions, bewil- 
 dering me with their strange actions, and still stranger 
 speeches. One heavy-made, lumbering, Dutch-looking 
 horse, with a keen human head, every line of which be- 
 tokened cunning, reproached me for leaving him out, and, 
 pointing triumphantly to an advertisement in the old 
 Spirit, screeched in my ear, "You called us splattering 
 Morgans : look at that and you will find that we are the 
 true descendants of the children of fire, purer far than 
 those graceful, sleeh-coaied, fragile-looking things, you have 
 held up for admiration. They cannot make half the dis- 
 play I can;" and he frisked around with short dancing 
 steps, the curly mane flying, and the fat shaking on his 
 sides. The words he pointed to in the paper shone hke 
 
330 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 letters illumiBated with jets of gas: "North Star, Morgan's 
 dam, was got by Young Diomed, grandsire Old Diomed, great- 
 grand sire Sir Archy, (a Ihoroughhred horse.)" "What do 
 you think of that, you cavilling sucker ? and look at my 
 Arabian head, my curhng tail and mane, my body, mod- 
 eled in the most perfect form to fly over the sands of the 
 desert — don't they show blood — and I weigh eleven hun- 
 dred, though six inches lower than some of your dunghill 
 Messengers." 
 
 I gazed at this illustrious grandson of Old Diomed, till 
 in the place of one there where hundreds with the same 
 features, contrasting so strangely with the sway back and 
 rolhng gait. They grew indistinct and shadowy, until 
 they were partially lost in the hazy atmosphere, which 
 soon became lurid as though there were great prairie fires 
 on every side, and I found myself pinned down in the 
 midst, fastened with lariats, and bound up in cuyote and 
 buffalo robes. I struggled for breath, but could not move. 
 Four stalwart Indians encircled me, with scrapers in their 
 hands heated to a glowing heat, and they forced me to 
 drink a bucketful of molten lava, that was flowing from a 
 cleft in the burning mountain. To heighten my anguish. 
 I heard your voice ordering them to throw some more 
 robes on, and be ready with their rubbers and scrapers. 
 Four more brawny, red skinned, ferocious-looking fiends 
 drew near. They had long scalp locks for rubbing-cloths 
 that were yet red and reeking with blood, as though newly 
 torn from their victims, the gore staining the long silken 
 haii^ of different colors. I recognized the golden bands of 
 
 Jane P , the raven tresses of Susan, and Miss 's 
 
 luxuriant locks. I cannot describe the suffering; it seemed 
 more intense than my nerves could bear, and I felt them 
 snapping and torn asunder, giving the same sensation, only 
 tenfold greater than is felt when the bungling dentist rolls 
 a tooth over with the turnkeys. You gave the order to 
 
A "GREEN HORSE." 331 
 
 scrape me and rub out my poll. The hissing of the per- 
 spiration, as it flowed from the red-hot scrapers, and the 
 scorching- of the skin, was actually pleasant, when compared 
 with the first touch of the gory scalp-locks. Human 
 nature could not bear it, and with a shriek of anguish I 
 awoke. I lay tossing about the remainder of the night, 
 neither being able or having the inclination to sleep 
 further. 
 
 Peeceptor. — No wonder you look haggard; want of sleep 
 and such a dream are enough to make the complexion 
 wan and the eye dim. 
 
 In all my remembrance I cannot recall a finer season 
 than this has been for the training of horses. The weather 
 has more to do with the conditioning process than many, 
 particularly those who are not engaged in the business, 
 are aware of. A man has a horse he is using on the road, 
 and finding that he possesses a good deal of speed, is 
 struck with the idea that he must have him trained, so he 
 loses no time in making his way to the track, goes to the 
 trainer he has selected to superintend the education, and 
 signifies his wishes. The trainer is, of course, anxious to 
 get another stiident, the price of whose tuition will assist 
 to pay the heavy bills that are presented at the end of 
 every month, and is unwittingly led to increase the owner's 
 sang-uine expectations, by extolling the good form and 
 promising gait of the pupil. 
 
 The country dealer who brought him to town had given 
 his full history, his ancestry, near and remote, the little 
 or no work he had to bring out his trotting gait. "He 
 was raised by Farmer such a one, and never had a single 
 harness on unless to plow corn, till so many days ago, 
 when he was purchased out of the wagon that brought a 
 load of grain to the market tpwn." The dealer will add 
 that he was induced to purchase him from knowing his 
 stock, which was first-rate, and which he is Hkely to repre- 
 
332 HOESE PORTRAITUKE. 
 
 sent as tliat most in vogue. The horse is then harnessed, 
 and though a httle awkward, shows speed that the buyer 
 is sure is unknown to the seller, and the bargain is closed 
 by paying a round sum, which the dealer knows enough 
 to ask, sjoeed or no speed. Both are pleased, one having 
 made a hundred or two above exj^enses, and the other, 
 satisfied that he has an embryotic trotter that in due time 
 will be as fast as the best. He has been told that the horse 
 has had no driving, and he will have to handle him very 
 carefully for a while, till he gets used to the shafts. So 
 he jogs him in out-of-the-way places where he will not be 
 likely to have his attention distracted, though he cannot 
 resist the temptation to let him go along a little, whenever 
 a smooth road is gone over. As he and the horse become 
 acquainted, he is gratified with an increase of speed that 
 fully corroborates the dealer's history. The same story is 
 rej)eated to the trainer, who cannot but agree that the 
 gait of the horse is very fast for one that never had any 
 handling. Should he signify his doubts of that being the 
 case, the matter is set at rest by the conclusive ai-gument 
 that he could not trot in three and a half when first pur- 
 chased, and now he can go close to three minutes. The 
 facts are that the horse had been driven for two seasons 
 in the country, perhaps not very judiciously, but stUl so 
 as to develoi^e a good deal of speed. Being sore from the 
 journey when first tried, and not being accustomed to the 
 vehicle, it took a few days for him to get at himself, which 
 resulted in the over-estimation in which he was held. The 
 seller was aware that he would get more for him fi'om this 
 duplicity, than if he took time himself to bring the horse 
 round and show the speed he honestly possessed, as that 
 would be more than would agree vnth. the truth of his 
 narrative, without being fast enough to enhance his 
 value, when considered as a partially trained horse. The 
 trainer takes him under this false estimate, and he is 
 
JEALOUSY OF TRAIN^EES, 333 
 
 mortified that lie does not improve as the owner and he 
 expected. After weeks or months are spent, and, per- 
 haps, just as there is a chance for him to improve, the 
 owner becomes disgusted, and takes the horse away, blam- 
 ing the trainer for not knowing "how to get the speed out 
 of him." 
 
 Bad weather has not had much to do with this disap 
 j5ointment, but there are cases where the trainer is blamed 
 for what he could not control any more than in this in- 
 stance. A horse has trotted the previous season fast, has 
 been well wintered, and is put into the hands of the trainer 
 in the spring in as fine order to commence work as could 
 be wished. Rain, making muddy tracks, and cold, raw 
 weather, makes it impossible that the horse should have 
 the necessary work. After a lapse of time, which the 
 owner thinks sufficient, a trial is insisted upon, which is, 
 of course, unsatisfactory. The horse is hurried into 
 another with the same result, and the trainer's incapacity 
 seems to be apparent, and the horse is removed into other 
 hands. There have probably been machinations to effect 
 this which are unknown to the credulous ovnier. I am 
 sorry to say anything against members of the craft, but 
 there is jealousy of each other that j)rompts them to go to 
 lengths that are contemptibly mean. If a horse is not do- 
 ing well in the hands of a trainer, his rival's stool pigeons 
 will commence work by telling things that will reach the 
 owner's ears, and such as will sui'ely have the intended 
 effect, if the man is not thoroughly conversant with these 
 nefarious practices. Should the rival manage to have the 
 horse transferred to him, his aim is accomiDlished. Some- 
 thing is gained if he can only say, "Mr. Blank took his 
 horse from Jones and gave him to me." If the horse does 
 well, there is no end to his boasting of what he has done, 
 which the owner can only repay by giving him aU his win- 
 nings in addition to his regular training expenses. If he 
 
 15 
 
334 HORSE PORTEAITUBE. 
 
 does not do well, the fault is eBtirely in the horse, or some- 
 thing might have been done with him if Jones had not 
 " burned him up " while he had him. An owner should 
 ponder well before putting his horse into any person's 
 hands, and when he does, justice demands that he should 
 give the trainer every opportunity of managing as he de- 
 sires, and allow him time enough, in all contingencies, to 
 get the horse in order. 
 
 You can hitch Never Mind to the sulky and jog him 
 three miles slowly. I once practiced giving a horse sharp 
 work the day after the sweat, in accordance with the con- 
 dition he was in. My plan now is to let a day intervene, 
 as I think it is better to wait till the debility that follows 
 is removed. Never Mind steps off hght and corky, an in- 
 fallible sign that we did not overdo the sweating. 
 
 Pupil. — He was anxious to go, and I am confident he 
 feels better than he has before. There is an elasticity in 
 his movement that reminds me of a young Highlander, 
 who always walk, with a sort of bound, as though the 
 ground had a spring that propelled him on as he 
 touched it. 
 
 Preceptok. — In driving the Falcon, you can jog him four 
 miles, when the rate can be increased to a three-and-a- 
 half gait for two and a quarter more. Go the i^everse way 
 of the track at first, and when you finish at the quarter 
 pole, let hina come back a httle faster. 
 
 You did that as well as possible, not varying five seconds 
 from the time, and each portion of the distance was gone 
 at the same rate. Jane you can jog longer than we would 
 otherwise, to try and wear the wire edge off, so that she 
 will go a trifle faster than she has been accustomed to, 
 without wanting to break away. Drive her slowly a few 
 rounds at the gait she has been going, which you can 
 increase to the same rate you drive the Falcon. Should 
 she rush off, do not attempt to hold her back with a steady 
 
OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD WHOA. 835 
 
 hard puU, but bring her to a full stop as before ; jog her 
 a while longer, and try her again. Should she still prove 
 untractable pui'sue the same course, and bring her to the 
 barn. At the next trial, we will put the Kemble Jackson 
 check on, and if that does not succeed, she will have to be 
 driven at the same time as the Falcon, when, by putting 
 her behind his sulky, she will be compelled to keep at the 
 rate we want her to go. I do not think it will be necessary 
 to resort to this plan, as, from the kind way she has lately 
 gone in her exercise, I think she will still continue to favor 
 us with good behavior. Be very careful not to pull at her ; 
 the least possible pull on the reins the better, as long as 
 they are kept taut. I find your horses are aU obedient to 
 the word whoa, when spoken energetically. Should the 
 mare act like wanting to go faster, talk soothingly to her ; 
 as " gently, my lady ;" " careful, my girl ;" but when the 
 whoa comes, be sure that it is followed by instant sub- 
 mission to the mandate. 
 
 Pupil. — One of the first lessons I give when breaking 
 colts is to stop at the word whoa, and I never use it after- 
 wards except when they are wanted to come to a full stop. 
 To signify to them that they are going fast enough, I say, 
 "steady;" to slacken their gait, "slower my boy, slower," 
 and I find that a difference in intonation is soon learned, 
 and I can talk to them, and they will obey as if almost 
 human in their understanding. To teach a horse, that has 
 not been taught the importance of the word that signifies 
 stop, I use the small rope that I have spoken of in the 
 allonging process. The loop is put round the lower jaw, 
 and the cord carried over the neck near the withers, run- 
 ning from there through the loop. This gives a double 
 power, sufficient to place the animal in such a position 
 that he cannot possibly move ahead. You lead him along, 
 and when the word is given, you accompany it by an in- 
 stant pall on the rope ; he cannot move till you slacken 
 
336 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 it, and the stopping and word are ever after associated 
 with being compelled to stop. The value of this lesson 
 must not be subsequently spoiled by using "whoa" to 
 signify several different actions, but for immediate stop- 
 ping alone. 
 
 So highly do I value the importance of this lesson, and 
 the habit of compliance, that I am very careful not to use 
 the word when there is a hkehhood of its not being attended 
 to, and if one of my horses were to become suddenly fright- 
 ened, I would rather let him run a little till I thought he 
 could understand what I said. I can illustrate this by re- 
 counting a circumstance that happened before I left home. 
 I had traded to a friend a large and very promising five-year- 
 old horse, that had only been broken that season. He had 
 been driven on the track, with an occasional trip to the 
 town, before the sulky or skeleton wagon. He was very 
 docile, and I did not hesitate to recommend him as one 
 hkely to make a very valuable road horse. My friend 
 drove him on the track, and was very much pleased with 
 him in every respect. After dinner, I hitched him to a 
 buggy, to which the shafts were so short, that, in order to 
 get him the requisite distance from the whiffle-tree, their 
 points came just opposite the shoulder-blade. I appre- 
 hended no trouble, relying on the quietness of his dis- 
 position. We got into the wagon, and went to town ; the 
 steam ferry-boat lay at the landing, where we met an 
 acqamtance, and as we were talking to him, I saw that 
 the horse was becoming fiigthened at the boat, and knowing 
 that the pleasure of his new owner in dri\Tng him would 
 be much enhanced if he did not see him act badly, I 
 requested him to get out of the wagon, and I would diive 
 on. Before he could get out, the horse became so uneasy 
 as to render alighting difficult, and I undertook to turn 
 him around in the street, so that he would not see the 
 boat. In turning, the end of the shaft hit his shoulder 
 
IMPOKTANCE OF SIMPLE COMMANDS. 337 
 
 and lie became frantic, bounding in tlie air like a horse 
 that had never been harnessed. We were only a few feet 
 from the bluff-bank of the river, and it appeared as if 
 nothing would save us from taking an involuntary bath in 
 the Father of Waters. I succeeded, however, in turning 
 him in time to save us from going over the bank, and as 
 we got fairly straight in the street, my friend grasped the 
 reins. The instant he took hold of them, I gave up my 
 pull, and said " whoa," the horse stopping immediately. 
 Our united strength would have been insufficient to stop 
 him by pulling, though as soon as he heard the command 
 the former lessons were thought of and obeyed. Shortly 
 after this occurrence, I took him on the ferry-boat, and as 
 soon as his curiosity was satisfied, he was as tranquil as 
 if in the stable. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — Perfect acquiescence to our demands can 
 only be looked for when they are not unreasonable, and 
 the habit of using several words to denote one meaning, 
 or one word to denote different actions, will only 
 confuse the horse, who is fi-equently punished for the 
 stupidity of the driver. I noticed the peculiarity when 
 driving your horses, and congratulate you on the know- 
 ledge your pupils display in this essential particular. Yet 
 it strikes me you were a httle afraid that Jane would prove 
 refractory, ^vhen you signified your fear that you might be 
 compelled to injure her mouth to stop her running away. 
 
 Pupil. — I did not know whether the lessons she learned 
 on the track, or those of a later day, would have the most 
 weight, but was inclined to think the earler impressions 
 would prove the stronger. Colts that I have broken are 
 taught at every subsequent period that this demand must 
 be complied with, and when driven either in or out of the 
 shafts, it is duly kept in their mind. 
 
 Pbeceptoe. — There is some sense in your reasoning. 
 
838 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 though I predict Jane will be of very little trouble ; so har- 
 ness her, and let us see. Well, how did she drive ? 
 
 Pupil. — Admirably, considering her former habits. I 
 only had to stop her twice, when she took the gait you 
 specified for her to go, and retained it till I thought it 
 was time to bring her to the bam. 
 
 Preceptor. — ^Everything is working very favorably, and 
 ought to impx'ess upon you the value of kind treatment. 
 There are two main ideas to enforce on a horse's mind. 
 The first, that you are his superior, when he wiU show his 
 loyalty by never rebelling, just as one horse in a pasture 
 field is acknowledged the " boss," till he corners the others 
 where they have to fight ; and desj»3ration lending them 
 energy to gain the battle, the quondam monarch is deposed. 
 The second precept is, that you are his fiiend, taking more 
 dehght in rewards than punishment, and thus bring both 
 passions to your aid — fear and love. I want to see Chpper 
 harnessed. I have been making arrangements that will 
 prevent my being with you all the time as heretofore, 
 though I will be on hand frequently to notice how you 
 are getting on, and to give such du'ections as you may 
 need. WTienever a change of work or treatment is ve- 
 quired, I will stay long enough to see and note the 
 consequences. The worst thing I feared was that Jane 
 would prove unmanageable ; her amiabiHty has got rid 
 of that clog, and you will get along finely. 
 
 Pupil. — My sorrow at losing your company is a mark 
 of selfishness that I hope you will overlook. Thanks to 
 your teachings, I feel a great deal more confidence in my 
 ability to manage thou I did, and while I would not have 
 you neglect your own affairs to further mine, I shall be 
 glad to have your aid and support whenever convenient. 
 
 Preceptor. — There is great pleasure in assisting those 
 who anxiously strive to learn, and I have been much 
 gratified with the constant attention you have given. The 
 
SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 339 
 
 traiBing of horses is like all other human affairs — those 
 who think the most will succeed the best. Mental power 
 is as certainly benefited by cultivation as physical power, 
 and one cannot be sustained in full vigor without the aid 
 of the other. As Dr. Johnson remarked, there are only 
 two ways of doing a tiling — a right and a wrong way — 
 and we will invariably find that the thinking worker will 
 be nearer right, in a majority of cases, than the man whose 
 mind is not in exercise. Training horses for fast work is 
 a science that has been neglected, so that the best of us 
 have only a very trifling insight into its causes and effects, 
 though I believe the day is not distant when the value of 
 scientific knowledge in this branch will be recognized, and, 
 in order to obtain employment, those who make training 
 their business will have to go through a course of study to fit 
 them for performing their duties understandingly. It is 
 true that there are many whose success merits the en- 
 comiums they receive, their industry, application, and 
 energy having mastered the intricacies, without other help 
 than long practice has given them. Yet these exceptions 
 only prove the necessity ior a more rigid course of study. 
 Science can never be expected to do away with practical 
 knowledge, and however much benefit we may derive from 
 its light, it will have to be joined to the art that is acquired 
 alone from daily use. Clinical teachings have been found 
 more effectual than reading, in preparing men to success- 
 fully contend against the encroachments of disease ; yet 
 both combined will not alone entitle the doctor to con- 
 fidence. He must have acquired knowledge by his in- 
 dividual efforts, and without this practice, he is unable to 
 form a correct diagnosis, or pursue a proper treatment. 
 
 That grey fellow, I see, is ready for you to jumj) behind 
 him and drive him leisurely twice round the track. He 
 has rather a singular gait when going slow, as if he had 
 rot ihe free use of his limbs ; this will wear off as he gets 
 
340 HOESE POETKAITUEE. 
 
 more exer;:te. There is a great improvement in the 
 appearance of his Hmbs, and they now look as well as 
 though he had gone through the orthodox courses of 
 physic, which would have further weakened the tone of 
 his stomach. The thickening of the integuments can never 
 entirely be got rid of. Firing would be beneficial, but I 
 very much dislike to make a horse undergo the torture of 
 the iron, unless in cases that imperatively demand the 
 application. 
 
 PuprL. — With the recollections of the Injuns and their 
 red-hot iron scrapers so fi'esh in my mind, I could not 
 bear to see a horse fii-ed. Chpper's legs being so much 
 better than I ever saw them, I am in hopes they will now 
 stand the work. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — Percival, in concluding an essay on the 
 strain of the flexor tendons, after recommending the iron 
 in extreme cases, says : — " By the firing-irons have horses, 
 originally worth their hundreds of pounds sterhng, been 
 raised from the knacker's price to their former value. By 
 the iron has many a broken-down hunter, and many a 
 racer, been joyously restored to his station and rank in 
 the field where his proudest laurels have been won." 
 Percival is high authority in everything pertaining to 
 horse surgery, and his opinions are worthy of consideration. 
 Before I would have the operation of firing performed, I 
 would consult the best veterinarian within reach, and only 
 resort to it as the last chance. Thanks to the introduction 
 of chloroform, we can do away with the pain attending the 
 application of the cautery, and whenever a painful operation 
 has to be undergone, the relief it gives should be taken 
 advantage of. If it were necessary, I would rather hve on 
 one meal a day for a month, than debar a horse from the 
 benefits of this agent, when undergoing a painful opera- 
 tion. 
 
 We have yet time, before the feeding hour, to see how 
 
MAT IN HEE NEW SHOES. 341 
 
 May will perform in her new shoes. They will induce a 
 higher lifting of the foot now than after she has worn 
 them for some time— so that, if they are going to be of 
 service, they wiU show it at once. I have mentioned before 
 the great difference in a horse's action by a trifling differ- 
 ence in the weight of the shoes. A few ounces added or 
 subtracted, inequality of the sides, lowering either side by 
 a greater reduction of the horn, is often followed by ^ 
 change that no one would have credited without a trial. 
 By changing the shape of the ground surface of a horse's 
 foot even structural defects may be overcome, and the 
 bias arising from malformation be remedied. You can 
 also buclile the roll on to May's right hind pastern, which 
 wiU guard it against injury, and will give her confidence 
 as weU as protection. We are wonderfully fortunate in 
 our ex2)eriments, having been, in a measure, successful in 
 all we have undertaken. May will soon go as straight as 
 any of them. When driving her, in the future, confine 
 her to the stretches when you speed her, and it will be as 
 well to turn her every time you come through, so as only 
 to traverse this part of the track. 
 
 Between now and dinner we will consider what is further 
 to be done towards the conditioning of the older horses, 
 and in educating the yoiuiger. The Falcon there is no 
 difficulty with. He will take aU the work necessary to 
 prepare him for any kind of a race. For the ensuing week, 
 prolong his work to jogging five miles, with a mile or so 
 at a three-and-a-half gait. His feed can be increased to 
 ten quarts of the mixed feed per day. As he has become 
 as tractable on the track as on the road, you can vary the 
 locality of the work of all of the horses, by driving once 
 or twice in the week on the smoothest, and softest road 
 you can find. In three days you can prepare Falcon for 
 a sweat, the same as we did Never Mind, only he can have 
 his usual allowance of hay until the night before we give 
 'l5^ 
 
342 HOESE POKTEAITURE. 
 
 fclie sweat. Wlieii lie is grazing, take liim to a secluded 
 part of the field, where lie will not be disturbed by the 
 other horses. 
 
 Never Mind will not need the same amount of work ; 
 jog him three miles, with two at an increased gait ; to- 
 morrow morning you can allow him to brush three- 
 quarters of the way down the stretch, but be sure you 
 keep him inside his best rate. The preparation for his 
 second sweat will be identical with that for the fii-st. We 
 will sweat him and Jane on the same day, so you can pre- 
 pare her at the same time. You will have to use your 
 own judgment in the work you give her. I would prefer 
 it to be a medium between the Falcon's and Never Mind's. 
 Above everything else, endeavor to keep her going quietly, 
 without anything approaching a hard pull. Keep a strict 
 watch of the boys, that they do not even speak harshly to 
 her. Should any of them have a cross fit, and twitch the 
 horses by the bit, or kick and strike them, discharge them 
 on the spot. Clipper must be jogged very quietly, and 
 his morning and evening walk be curtailed. Watch his 
 legs very closely, and if you are sure there is not a particle 
 of heat, use cold water to wash them, applying the band- 
 ages, di'awing them a little closer than before, and have 
 his legs well hand-rubbed, the boy occupying an hour 
 in performing this task. Should there be any heat, use 
 the hot water, put a dry bandage over the wet, and leave 
 them on aU night. Let him be grazed for the time his 
 walk is shortened in the evening, and when in the stable, 
 have him kept as quiet as possible. His feed can remain 
 the same as it is now. Never Mind and Jane can have an 
 additional quart at night. 
 
 Hirondelle will have to be driven a good deal like Jane. 
 You can give her long, steady work, keeping her well in 
 hand, and endeavoring to keep her high spirit within 
 proper bounds. I think her knee action will be improved 
 
RATTLES, HITCHING, ETC. 343 
 
 by wearing the rattles once in a while. These are only to 
 be put on occasionally, as their every-dq,y use would defeat 
 the object we have in \dew ; the novelty would soon wear 
 away, and the only thing gained would be the added 
 weight. Some cover rattles with chamois skins, to prevent 
 them chafing the skin. I would rather protect that by a 
 thin piece of leather or cloth tied on by itself, as the 
 covering injures the flexibility of the rattles, and the noise 
 the beads make striking against each other induces higher 
 action, than would be the case if the noise did not accom- 
 pany their use. 
 
 Oriole had better have her fast work ia short brushes, 
 and whenever she shows an inclination to hitch, pull her 
 up, and start her again. I have seen horses that would 
 hitch when going at moderate speed, and when driven 
 faster would go as true, and square as could be desired. 
 Oriole, being anxious to do all, or more than is required, 
 hitches in endeavoring to take a longer stride. This is 
 more favorable than if she had acquired it by pulhng 
 heavy weight, which would be harder to set right. Ma- 
 vourneen will have to be driven according to your discre- 
 tion. I am afraid she will not repay you as well for the 
 time spent as the others, but one can never prophesy very 
 confidently about trotting colts. Those we think the least 
 of may change in their way of going, and surprise us by 
 beating others that seemed greatly superior. 
 
CHAPTEK XXIV. 
 
 DAY DREAMS — FOOD FOR HORSES IN TRAINING — HAT, CORN 
 
 BLADES, STRAW, OATS, CORN, LINSEED-MEAL, OAT-MEAL, 
 
 SAGO, GREEN FOOD, ETC. — TIME OF FEEDING. 
 
 Pupil. — 1 will have to find amusement in following the 
 vagaries of my imagination, when deprived of your com- 
 pany Avhile smoking after dinner. Whether the habit of 
 day dreaming when the pipe is Ht, which my forest hfe 
 has fostered, will ever be broken, I cannot imagine. It is 
 certain that I cannot read when I am thus engaged. If I 
 attempt to find instruction or amusement in books, I am 
 »insuccessful. The book wiU drop, and I am transported 
 ♦;o other times, and far-away places, or am reveling in 
 scenes that can never be expected to occur. Conversation 
 iispels the phantasies of the brain, and absolves me from 
 iihis foUy when in company. Should I endeavor to study, 
 when alone, the task is as futile as reading. I am soon 
 lost in reveries, and I have given up all hopes of saving 
 the time occupied in solitary smoking. The half hour thus 
 spent, or thrown away, has become a luxuiy which I would 
 be loth to part with, if for nothing more than that it is 
 a prolongation of the happy period, akin to the bright 
 days of youth, when the fancy pictured glowing futurities, 
 of which the judgment yet did not show the faUac}^ 
 
 My countrymen have been characterized as a painstak- 
 ing, demure, stubborn sort of people, who found in every- 
 day reality, a life more pleasing than any efforts of the 
 imagination could afford. I am satisfied they are wronged 
 
''AULD SCOTIA." 345 
 
 in this estimate, and tliat no oilier people are so completely 
 carried away with, or live more in, an ideal world. My 
 first recollections are of sitting on an old nurse's lap — 
 under whose fostering care two generations of our family 
 had been nurtured — and listening to the tales she told, 
 still vividly remembered. I am satisfied she did not depend 
 on her memory, as the infinite variety of tales, from which 
 she always selected the one most appropriate to the mood 
 of her auditors, was beyond human recollection. Fairies, 
 brownies, goblins, water-kelpies, and all spirits ever sup- 
 posed to have an existence in any element, were at her 
 will ; the dramalis perso7ice of romances that would take 
 the nights of a winter month to bring to a conclusion. 
 There were ghost stories that, in the horrid ghastliness of her 
 minute descriptions, fairly curdled the blood ; legends of 
 castle, town, and lonely cot, and histories of every " ruin- 
 ed wa " in the neighborhood were faithfully recounted ; 
 old battles, in which some ancestor had taken a prominent 
 part, were told so hei-oically that even the child was a mimic 
 soldier, and felt his heart swell in the hopes of imitating 
 those deeds of high devoir ; love tales, where the suitor 
 went away in poverty, to dwell in foreign lands, returning 
 rich and distinguished, to find the lassie that had been the 
 magnet which attracted him to conquer every obstacle, 
 some of them seemingly insurmountable was "aye leal" — 
 always true — 
 
 " ' Away wi' beguiling, cried the youth, smiling, 
 Off went the bonnet, the lintwhite locks flee ; 
 
 The belted plaid fa'ing, her white bosom shawing, 
 F:dr stood the loved maid wi' the dark rolling e'e." 
 
 The history of " Auld Scotia," so much hke a romance, 
 lost none of the brightness of coloring in her hands. 
 From the time the victorious Romans built the celebrated 
 wall to assist in protecting themselves fi'om the valor of 
 
346 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 a people, their superiors in bravery, to the union with 
 England, her knowledge was far beyond that of the books. 
 Of things that happened subsequently to the incorporation 
 of the two countries, she would take no note, as, according 
 to her idea, 
 
 " The Englisli, for once, by guile won the day," 
 
 and to join in friendship with their auld allies was a 
 stretch of philosophical forbearance beyond the tenets in- 
 culcated in her mind. The framers of the American Con- 
 stitution, when they added the clause that the chief officer 
 of this country should be a native, were aware of the ties 
 that never can be broken, which binds a man to his father- 
 land ; and though I left the bleak hills of Scotland when a 
 boy, and a quarter of a century has elapsed since then, I 
 would not renounce the place of my nativity, to be at the 
 head of this powerful government. This is, no doubt, non- 
 sense; as the renunciation would not aid me in climbing 
 one step towards that high position, though the remem- 
 brance of the heathery hills, the holms studded with 
 gowans, and the sparkling burns, will always be a war- 
 rant for my loyalty. 
 
 Peggy's great /orte, however, was poetry, and her audi- 
 tory of " toddlin bairns" was never cloyed by a sui-feit, 
 though her repertoire of baUads, love songs, and merry 
 chants was as extensive as her legendary lore. She could 
 not often be coaxed to " wed the words of music," but 
 when she did, the simple grace with which she sung the 
 old Scotch tunes is remembered yet, sounding hke the 
 voices I have heard in the woods at midnight — spirit- 
 voices murmuring chimes of another laud. The feeling 
 with which she rendered the pathetic ones, hke Cumnor 
 Hall, or the lamentations of some of the exiled adherents 
 of the house of Stuart, I have never heard equaled, and 
 
DAT DREAMS. 347 
 
 wlien tlie little bosoms were heaving, and the tears could 
 not be restrained by summoning the pride that considered 
 such a display weakness, and derogatory to the character 
 of manliness, which all Scotch boys are taught to believe 
 the first great aim, — and were ciilminating in a flood of 
 '^greeting," she would change the tears to hearty laughter 
 by a grotesque recitation of some humorous song, that 
 would have moved the mirth of the crying philosopher 
 himself. Humor was not as much to her liking as the 
 tender or supernatural, and unless she thought it necessary 
 to remove j^ainful feehngs, induced by fear of seeing some 
 spectre wraith flitting hj the ivy-curtained windows, or 
 to banish those of acute commiseration, she never re- 
 sorted to it. I have introduced the old nurse partly as 
 an instance to prove that the existence of deep imaginative 
 feeling among the Scotch is common — as I never heard 
 my nurse was peculiar in this respect — and as possibly ac- 
 counting for my habits of seeing visions and dreaming 
 dreams at times when the mantle of sleep does not envelop 
 me. I have found the benefit of looking for a "silver hning 
 in every cloud ; " though one sink a heavy mass, un- 
 relieved by th6 slightest penciling of a warmer color, the 
 next one may be bright enough to make amends. The colt 
 gamboling in the sunshine, and which we believed destined 
 to do great deeds, to make the heart bound at the pleasure 
 of having reared it, tnrns out at the allotted time to be 
 worthless. The visions are dispelled only to be renewed 
 with those of another year, invested with still brighter 
 hopes. The cigars have burned out. Forgive the egotism 
 that has intruded on you the days of childhood, which, 
 however bright in the remembrance, are not exactly the 
 thing to interest others. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — You need not apologise. I feel something 
 of the same kind steal over me when smoking. I assuredly 
 never thought the want of imagination a Scotch characteris- 
 
348 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 tic, and you are undoubtedly wrong in thinking such to 
 be the estimate of the pubhc generally. Scotch history, 
 her romances, traditions, poetry, and music, prove the 
 contrary. I have read — aud who has not ? — ^many works of 
 Scotch fancy ; and fi-om James the First of Scotland, in 
 vfhose King's Quhair there is "Beauty enough to make the 
 world to doat," to Alexander Smith, her poets have been 
 in the front rank. Why, the Ettrick Shepherd coiild never 
 have had an existence in a country whose people were not 
 highly imaginative. His "Queen's Wake," though read 
 many years ago, &sad my recollections of it indistinct now, 
 still captivates my fancy ; and passages, thought to have 
 been long forgotten, come freshly to my mind. How com- 
 pletely does he exalt the "Lovely Kilmeny" above earthly 
 life ! and when transporting her to the "land unseen," the 
 transition appears proper, without the aid of death. For 
 
 "her beauty was fair to see, 
 
 But still and steadfast was her e'e ; 
 Such beauty bard may never declare 
 For there was no pride nor passion there. 
 And the soft desire of maiden's e'en 
 In that mild face could never be seen. 
 Her seymar was the lily flower, 
 And her cheek the moss rose in the shower. 
 And her voice like the distant melodye 
 That floats along the twilight sea." 
 
 But to prove the imaginative power of Scotch poets and 
 romance writers, would be a waste of time, hke giving 
 reasons for twice two being four. 
 
 We will now divest ourselves of sleeping or waking 
 fancies, and consider the important question of feeding 
 horses in training. In order that a horse may be in proper 
 condition to go fast, the greatest care is requisite in 
 feeding. The food must be of the best quality, and the 
 
THE BEST QUALITY OF HAY. 349 
 
 aniotint regulated to the wants of the animal. Hay, corn 
 blades, and straw are the articles used as the bulky por- 
 tions of the food, and the different kinds of grain as the 
 nutritious. It would be impossible to get a horse in order 
 if restricted to either class. The hay would not afford 
 nourishment sufficient, while the grain alone would not 
 keep up the tone of the stomach, and indigestion would 
 quickly follow. In my opinion, the best hay is good bright 
 Timothy, cut at the j)roper time, and cured in a perfect 
 manner. It is better for being two years old, as, when it 
 has become thoroughly seasoned, there seems to be a 
 change that renders it easier of chymification. It does 
 not ferment in the stomach, and is, in every particular, 
 better for the purpose. The hay cut from old meadows 
 is superior to that from those recently laid down, unless 
 the farmer has used a great deal more seed than a majority 
 of agriculturists deem necessary. New meadows, where 
 the soil is rich, and from twelve to sixteen quarts of seed 
 sown to the acre, will grow better hay than old meadows 
 that have become poor from long cropping. 
 
 To determine good hay by observation is a very nec- 
 essary knowledge on the part of the horse owner and 
 trainer. It should be free from dirt or discoloration, the 
 stalks fine, with plenty of leaves on them. When handled, 
 a fragrant aroma should arise, and on examining the 
 heads, the seeds should adhere to the husks that cover 
 them. There is a stage in the growth of this grass when 
 the dust or pollen of the flowers will rise in a clovid, when 
 a puff of vnnd blows over the field. This is at the time of 
 the first blossoming, and if the grass is cut at this stage, 
 or before, the hay will be bad and dusty. This fine, al- 
 most impalpable powder, will be very injui-ious, though 
 extremely difficult to detect. The seed is the best g-uide, 
 and in this case the ear will have a shriveled appearance, 
 the seed scarcely formed. The heads or ears should be 
 
350 HORSE POKTKAITURE. 
 
 nearly as plump as if the seeds were ripe, which will show 
 that it has not been cut till after this dusty era has passed. 
 If the grass stands too long, the woody fibre predominates, 
 and the hay is brittle, tasteless, with only a small part of 
 its nutritive qualities left. Hay sometimes heats, or mow- 
 burns, without showing discoloration enough to detect it 
 from the appearance. To discover this, take up a large 
 haiidful and hold it to the mouth and nostrils, breathing 
 on it, and if it is injured, a moldy odor will be apparent. 
 
 The evils resulting from using foxy, mowburnt hay, are 
 generally known and guarded against. Horses will eat it 
 greedily, the sweet taste it has acquired from the process 
 of fermentation making it palatable to them when they 
 are first fed with it. I have heard people remark, " That 
 hay does not look vei-y well, but my horses eat it first 
 rate ;" when it has been almost damaged enough to be 
 poisonous. It soon affects the kidneys, causing an excessive 
 flow of ui-ine, which unchecked, would soon end in debility. 
 This seems to occur before there is much derangement 
 of the stomach, though continuing its use would also dis- 
 order that. 
 
 A mixture of Timothy and red-top makes very good 
 hay, and would be my next choice after that wholly con- 
 sisting of the first named. Clover will not do, under any 
 circumstances, no matter how much care has been taken 
 in cutting and curing. It seems to interfere with the action 
 of the respiratory organs, and is inadmissible for horses 
 in training, and can only be used as green food. Corn 
 blades are very valuable as "fodder" for horses in training, 
 and when I wanted a horse in "tip-top-fettle," I would 
 rather pay an exorbitant price than do without them. 
 They ought to be stripped fi'om the stalk when the grain 
 begins to glaze, stuck up in small handfuls on the ears to 
 dry, and when thoroughly cm-ed, bound in small bundles, 
 and stored on a scaffolding, formed of poles placed on the 
 
STRAW AS FORAGE. 351 
 
 beams of the barn. It would not do to put many of them 
 together, as the least fermentation spoils them. They 
 have to sweat as well as hay, but the dampness arising 
 must have every oj^portunity to evaporate. I would feed 
 them alternately with hay, as blades in the forenoon and 
 hay at night, though I have known horses that would do 
 better on the corn blades alone. I also prefer to use them 
 before a race, trial, or sweat, as they seem to be advan- 
 tageous to the action of the lungs, probably not so much 
 from occupying a smaller sj)ace in the stomach, and thus 
 not interfering with the diaphragm, but also by a differ- 
 ence in their chemical constituents. 
 
 That there is greater freedom of breathing, when using 
 one kind of food over another, is well known. Mr. Spal- 
 ding, the celebrated diver, before the discovery of marine 
 armor, found that his diet had a sensible effect on the 
 consumption of aii- in the diving-bell. I lament the want 
 of a knowledge of chemistry, which would greatly aid me 
 in forming correct oppinions on this point, and in default 
 of that knowledge, can only state the result of experience, 
 without being able to deduce the reasons why the differ- 
 ence should exist. Lord Seymour, who did so much to 
 estabHsh racing in France, trained his horses on straw for 
 forage, and was very successful in gettting them in order. 
 I have tried it with some horses that were habitually 
 costive, with good results. I cut it in a straw-cutting ma- 
 chine and mixed it with the grain, a portion in the feed 
 after the morning's exercise, and the balance at night. By 
 being mixed, the grain was better masticated than other- 
 wise, though this can always be accomplished by making 
 the horse eat with a large bar bit in his mounth. Prairie 
 hay I have heard highly extolled by some of those who 
 had made trips into the section of country where its use 
 was general, but having no personal acquaintance, I can 
 say nothing about it. 
 
352 HOESE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 Pupil. — When I "moved to the West," there was no 
 other kind grown, and it would have been thought folly 
 for a man to seed his ground to Timothy or clover, when 
 he could have thousands of tons of prairie hay for the 
 cutting. The whole country at that time, saving the small 
 proportion in cultivation, was covered with grass. The 
 rolling prairie had a fine growth, that would yield from 
 one to two tons to the acre. The small ravines and little 
 flats lying along the creeks had a thick growth, somewhat 
 like red-top, which would cut two to three tons. The large 
 bottoms bordering on the Mississippi and other rivers 
 were hid by a growth that looked Hke a diminutive 
 cane-brake, and would cut four tons and upwards to the 
 acre. The variety of large grass thought most highly of 
 is called blue-joint, and I have seen it grow so high as to 
 completely hide a man on horseback, when riding through it. 
 
 A few miles north of my place is a bottom at the junc- 
 tion of the Maquoketa river with the Mississippi ; it is 
 some six or eight miles wide between the bluffs on the 
 latter named river, gradually narrowing as it recedes till, 
 some twelve or fifteen miles up, the bluffs come together 
 with just room for the smaller river to run through. These 
 bluffs are an appropriate fi-amework, rising to a height 
 of three hundred feet, their sides nearly perjaendicular and 
 rocky, but where their abruptness is not excessive a 
 heavy timber is growing. From the summit of the bluffs 
 one can see almost every acre of this luxuriant delta, and 
 in the month of July to look down on this waving "emerald 
 sea" of verdure is a beautiful sight. 
 
 On this bottom I was favored once with the grandest 
 demonstration of the sublimity of a prairie on fire that I 
 ever witnessed. I had seen, hundreds of times, the ruddy 
 streams chasing each other over the rolling prairie, the 
 line extending for miles, flickering and flashing over 
 thousands of acres. This is always a pretty sight, calhng 
 
A PEAIRIE ON FIRE. 353 
 
 forcibly for admiration, without exciting a thought of fear. 
 A man could brealc through the edging of fire with no greater 
 injury than he would find in stepping over the boxwood 
 border in the garden. 
 
 But this bottom, clothed with an immense growth of 
 blue-joint, flags, and weeds, dried till they were as inflam- 
 mable as pine shavings, when on fire conveyed, while 
 there was abundant room for admiration, an idea of the 
 power of the destructive element, that almost appalled me 
 •with its ferocity. The night on the occasion of which I 
 speak was dark and still. Heavy clouds hid every star 
 from view, and there was no wind. The fire originated in 
 the extreme South-east corner of the bottom, and might 
 have been caused by a spark from a passing steamboat. 
 The residents on the verge of the woods seeing the light, 
 at once commenced firing the diy grass in their neigh- 
 borhood, so as to "back fire" away from doing injury to 
 the timber, fences, and stacks at the foot of the bluffs. 
 Scarcely a quarter of an hour had elapsed before there 
 was a perfect cordon of fires surrounding the whole extent, 
 and, following the irregular outline at the base of the 
 hills, it could be compared to a huge serpent; gliding in 
 glowing folds, and throwing ofl' scintillations from its 
 luminant scales. The advancing columns drew along very 
 placidly, streaming directly upwards in the still air. It 
 was not long ere the smoke began to wave and surge, and 
 the flames to leap higher, and the crackling sound was 
 soon joined to a sibilant, purring noise, and currents of 
 air began to draw through the notches among the bluffs, 
 and strangely moan in the dwarfed red cedars that fringed 
 the rock where I was seated. The murky clouds absorbed 
 the red light from the fire, which had now become exten- 
 sive enough to illuminate the bluffs, and cause the lesser 
 stream to look like one of blood. The wailing and sighing 
 of the wind increased, the columns of fire swayed, shook 
 
354: HOESE POETRAITUKB. 
 
 and twisted themselves into rapid evolutions ; now shoot- 
 ing upward far, far into the lurid sky ; now throwing 
 themselves forward till the whole level prairie was ab- 
 sorbed, and burst at once into a tumultuous flaming sea. 
 Looking from my elevated situation, the valley appeared 
 as if transformed into a molten, seething lake, hemmed in 
 with red-hot walls, so that the tormented spirits could not 
 escape. 
 
 Burning this hay is not the way to acquaint you with 
 its value for forage. Much diversity of opinion prevails 
 in reference to its qualities, and while some of the Western 
 trainers will not use it, there are others who think it the 
 only kind suitable for horses that work fast. These last 
 will point triumph antly to the fact that when prairie hay 
 only was used, heaves were unknown in the Western 
 country, and that with the advent of Timothy meadows, 
 required by the settlement of the country, this distressing 
 malady also made its appearance. There is no question 
 of the truth of this assertion. \Vhen I first went to Iowa 
 the disease Avas totally unknown, and the absence of it 
 ascribed to a variety of causes. But the prevalence of this 
 affection of the lungs in the same locality now, where the 
 only change has been the substitution of cultivated for the 
 prairie grasses, certainly proves where the cause exists. 
 Notwithstanding this, I do not like it as weU as Timothy, 
 the Hability of which to injure the lungs would be done 
 away with, if proper care were taken in the cutting, 
 curing, and preserving. 
 
 Thick seeding, as you remarked is very necessary to 
 obtain good hay, not only by causing a finer growth of the 
 stalk and an increase of the leaves, but, by getting a thick 
 sward, we also get rid of a good deal of dust. Should there 
 oe patches of the gTouud uncovered, the fine particles of 
 the soil become disintegrated by the beating of the rain, 
 and, adhering to the plant, are shaken off when fed, and 
 
WEEDS "WITH PRAIRIE HAT. 355 
 
 carried witli the air into the lungs. My objection to prairie 
 hay is, the tendency to px'odnce costiveness ; and if much 
 of it is fed, you will always notice that the excrements are 
 hard, and of a dark color. Of the three varieties I have 
 mentioned, the kind that would seem the least fitted for 
 nourishment I am satisfied is the best, viz : the large 
 blue-joint.* I have noticed that stock kept on that have 
 been invariably in the best condition, and the farmers 
 who lived on the margin of the Maquoketa bottom, and 
 who wintered large herds of cattle on this alone, had their 
 animals in better plight in the spring, than the dwellers 
 on the prairie who fed the finer kinds and added a pro- 
 portion of grain. Some of this prairie hay has a delightful 
 fragrance ; this and the bright green color it displays in 
 midwinter, have led people to place too high an opinion 
 on its nutritive quaUties. There is frequently a weed 
 mixed with this hay that I am certain is injurious. It is 
 called resin-weed, from a similarity of taste and smell to 
 that substance. It is a very powerful diuretic, and as it is 
 eaten with avidity, it cannot fail to do harm. Some 
 ascribed the immunity from heaves to this ingredient, and 
 extracts were made and recommended as a specific for 
 most of the diseases of the throat and lungs. I have 
 known two horses injured from giving them this extract, 
 and have no doubt that others have been rendered worth- 
 less from partaking of it in its natural and less powerful 
 form. There are undoubtedly other plants cut with the 
 hay that are not projDcr for a horse to eat, and so, to be sure 
 that I do not give any of them, I would refrain from 
 feeding the hay that contained them. 
 
 Preceptob. — Here is a table of the relative value of hay 
 and other foods, compiled from experiments in Trance 
 and Germany : — 
 
356 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 ONE HUNDRED POUNDS OF GOOD HAY IS EQUAL IN NOURISHMENT TO 
 
 400 ft) of green clover. 
 
 275 ft) of green Indian corn. 
 874 ft> of wheat straw. 
 
 442 lb of rye straw. 
 195 K» of oat straw. 
 400 lb of dried stalks of Indian corn. 
 
 276 ft) of carrots. 
 54 ft) of rve. 
 
 45 lb of wheat. 
 54 ft) of barley. 
 59 ft) of oats. 
 57 lb of Indian corn. 
 62 ft) of sxinflower seeds. 
 69 ft) of linseed cake. 
 105 ft) of wheat bean. 
 83 ft) of dried oak leaves. 
 
 TMs table was the result of experiments conducted by 
 tbe most eminent scientific agriculturists, and can be relied 
 on as correct, as far as such things can be proven. I am 
 at a loss to knovf what is meant by the "dried stalks of 
 Indian corn." If they were divested of the blades, I would 
 have thought them of no value, and with the leaves on, they 
 would not be so much inferior. Some trainers are so 
 particular as to stem the corn blades when feeding them, 
 but I think that is unnecessary. Neither can I recommend 
 the adoption of the plan of pulling hay, as it strips off the 
 leaves, which are the most nutritive portions. The hay 
 ought to be well shaken up, tossing it hghtly with a fork, 
 which will free it fi-om dust as effectually as the boys do 
 by twitching it through hands that have been just picking 
 up the droppings, and which must, in a measure, conta- 
 minate the hay, and make it less agreeable to the nice 
 discriminating taste of the horses. 
 
 The time for feeding the hay is after the morning and 
 evening exercise, and the amount must be regulated to the 
 requirements of each horse. There are those that will 
 eat so much as to be totally unfit for fast work, while 
 others are benefited by coaxing them to eat all they can. 
 A heavy carcased, craving animal would distend himself 
 with hay if allowed, till he would be in no better plight 
 for rapid exertion than a fat alderman, who had just dined 
 on turtle soup, roasted venison, with a bottle or two of 
 
VARIETY OF FOOD. 357 
 
 heavy port. The light-waisted, delicate, finely organized 
 animal never eats or drinks too much, requiring manage- 
 ment to induce him to take more sustenance than he 
 otherwise would. The grain that ninety horses in every 
 hundi-ed are fed with, when in training, is oats, and when 
 bran and corn are added, the variety is complete in a still 
 greater proportion. Oats are to the horse what bread is 
 to man, " the staflf of life ;" though, IbeHeve, other articles 
 of diet can be used advantageously. As I ha,ve remarked 
 before, oats have more husk than any other gi-ain, causing 
 them to weigh less, according to the bulk, than any of 
 those in common cultivation. That this is an advantage, 
 in some cases, will be admitted, as when the stomach re- 
 quires more distension than the hay fed gives ; and should 
 we change a horse's feed from twelve quarts of oats a day 
 to half that amount of corn, wheat or barley, the change 
 would necessitate an increase in the quantity of hay used. 
 A majority of horses can be brought into good condition 
 by using oats alone, though I find that " order " is acquired 
 more readily, when I use other articles of food in combina- 
 tion with them. There is an improvement in the health 
 of man by using different kinds of aliment, and this rule 
 will also hold good in the management of horses — fast 
 work requiring scrupulous care, neither to overload the 
 stomach, nor place articles in it that are not nutritious. 
 Thus we cannot avail ourselves of a change that might 
 ultimately benefit the health, if not compatible with these 
 considerations. This may appear paradoxical, yet it is 
 nevertheless true. What Leibig calls the " plastic elements 
 of nutrition," consisting of substances abounding iu nitro- 
 gen, must be combined with a sufficient quantity of carbon 
 — one to form blood with the proper constituents to 
 promptly repair the daily waste of the tissues, and the other 
 to create heat and assist the respiration. There is nearly 
 as much nitrogen in oats as any other grain, being only 
 
 16 
 
358 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 one-tenth of one per cent, less than wheat, while there i8 
 fifty-one per cent, of carbon, wheat having forty-six per 
 cent. Oats having been found superior to any other grain 
 for the food of horses when working fast, it is fair to infer 
 that the proportion of nitrogen and carbon in this gi'ain 
 is the best. 
 
 Without doubt, the grain used in the analyses I have 
 quoted, was of the very best quality, and from the results 
 of experiments in England, where the oats are better and 
 heavier than here, shows more nutritive qiialities than 
 ours would. I have seen oats that looked plump weigh 
 only twenty-eight pounds to the bushel, and I have used 
 those that weighed upwards of forty pounds. It will 
 readily be granted that a horse would require more quarts 
 of the first, and he will also want more potmds of them to 
 obtain the same nutriment, the Hghter ones having so 
 much thicker husks. Good oats are an absolute necessity, 
 and unless they possess the qualities requisite, we will be 
 unable to get a horse in proper condition. I have stated 
 before, that they ought to be heavy, two years old, and 
 remain in the stack long enough to sweat before they are 
 put in the bin. They will sweat there again, and every 
 year they are kept they go through this process, which is 
 probably the reason why old oats are so much better than 
 new ones. To detect mustiness, breathe on them, as I 
 directed for the hay. Observe closely, to notice whether 
 they have sprouted while in the shock or stack. You will 
 discover in this case the dried germ still adhering to the 
 kernel. See that there is no foreign substances mixed 
 with them, as seeds of weeds, gravel, dirt, &c., &c. 
 
 Poor com is easier told than inferior oats. The ears 
 should be bright, the kernels solid and plump, and on 
 breaking the ear there should be no dampness or mold. 
 The other articles needed, as bran. Unseed meal, oat meal, 
 sago, &c., &c., it is needless to say, should be of the very 
 
NUMBER OF FEEDS. 359 
 
 best. There is only one use I have for sago, making 
 gruels for horses that have become feverish, and are 
 "baked," as the grooms say. Their coats are dry and 
 have lost their lustre, and the perspiration that should 
 follow their work does not take place. Sago gruels, 
 acidulated drinks, with a reduction of their work, will 
 generally effect a cure, unless the cause is disease which 
 wlU require the attendance of the veterinarian. I have 
 changed my system of feeding fi'om what I formerly 
 practiced, in relation to the frequency with which I give 
 the meals. When I commenced training, six feeds in the 
 twenty-four hours was thought necessary. After a while 
 I tried five, and thought I observed a benefit from the 
 curtailment, and now I am satisfied that four feeds a day 
 are better than to have them come closer together. The 
 amount conveyed to the stomach requires time to digest 
 before it is replenished, and four hoiirs is a short enough 
 space for the food to undergo this process. I also like to 
 have the stomach distended so as to increase the muscular 
 strength of this organ, which would not be the case if 
 smaller quantities were given with greater frequency. To 
 perform its functions properly the stomach must have 
 intervals of work and repose, proper exercise being as 
 essential to keep it in vigor as for any other part of the 
 anatomy. Owx feeds coming at five and ten o'clock A. M., 
 and three and seven P. M., will only be varied in those 
 horses that cannot have their fast work given between the 
 first and second feeds. The time it takes the horses to 
 eat their hay in the evening, will leave them about eight 
 hours for repose, which is none too much. 
 
 Pupil. — Do you think sago preferable to green food for 
 inducing perspiration in horses that are " burned " ? I 
 have had great faith in the efl&cacy of allowing a horse to 
 eat plentifully of grass, green corn blades, &c., when in 
 that fix. 
 
360 HORSE POETEAITURE. 
 
 Peeceptob. — As a preventive, I would prefer grazing 
 alone, but when the horse has become burnt, I would rather 
 combine it with sago. When the system has become 
 feverish the sago gruels, taking the place of water alone, 
 have always proved beneficial with me. Yet if I had to 
 forego the use of sago or green food, I would not hesitate 
 an instant in discarding the first, and give the latter the 
 preference over everything else, as an adjunct to correct 
 the injuries arising from fast work, and for the diet of 
 horses in training. If a horse is allowed to graze for half 
 an houi', twice or three times a week, and his work and 
 food are judiciously given, there will very seldom be any 
 necessity for demulcent drinks, excepting when sweating, 
 or after giving extra work, as in a trial or race. The 
 succulent herbage will do away with the necessity for 
 giving so many bran-mashes, which I do not regard with 
 the favor that many do. I use them, but not with the 
 frequency of many of my aquaintances, trusting to the more 
 natiu-al food, which has never failed me yet in doing what 
 I expected. It will not do to give it at particular stages 
 of -the training, as there are times when one requires the 
 system to be " keyed up " to the highest tone. Then only 
 the most nutritious food is admissible. An eminent 
 veterinary writer remarks of green food, that " wounds 
 heal more kindly, inflammatory diseases are not so fatal, 
 and chronic diseases frequently abate, or they entii*ely 
 disappear under the use of gxass. The horse, however, is 
 always soft when fed much on green food. He sweats a 
 great deal, and is soon exhausted with his work." Our 
 aim, therefore, should be to feed enough and at proper 
 times to obtain the benefit of its medicinal properties, 
 without going far enough to debilitate the animal by too 
 free and frequent a use. 
 
 Pupil. — You would advise grazing, rather than cutting 
 the grass and conveying it into the staU ? 
 
NEW WAT TO EXERCISE HORSES. 361 
 
 Preceptor. — At this season of the year I much prefer 
 the auimal to pick it himself. He chooses that which 
 suits him the best, and there are no flies to annoy him. 
 In extremely hot weather, or when the flies have become 
 troublesome or in the fall, when the juices are diminished, 
 I would give it in the stal^le. 
 
 Pupil. — Why, I know a man who took advantage of the 
 flies to assist him in exercising. Last July and August 
 there was a great deal of rain, making the track and roads 
 very muddy. This man had a couple of promising colts, 
 and during this muddy time he would tie them in a small 
 yard for two or three hoi^rs every day, and let them 
 " fight flies " by way of exercise. He told me this himself, 
 and took much credit for the invention. 
 
 Preceptoe. — I wish I could have tied him in an Arkansas 
 swamp, for the same length of time, and let the gaUinip- 
 pers and musquitoes make him dance to the music of 
 their shrill pipes. If his treatment in other particulars 
 was akin to this, he must have ruined his colts. 
 
 Pupil. — He was at first very successful in developing 
 their speed, and a month or two previous I thought the 
 two colts were the best I had ever seen. But the fly ex- 
 periment was not a successful one, as they could not trot 
 as fast in the fall as they did in the early part of the 
 season; but there were other points in his 'treatment 
 fully as inimical to improvement as the one I have 
 mentioned. 
 
 Preceptor. — If he had other notions similar to that, it 
 was no wonder, though I have seen men that knew very- 
 little of training very fortunate in obtaining speed from 
 horses. This is no argument against trying to learn all we 
 can^ but only shows what fortuitous circumstances will 
 accomplish. It will now occupy the remaining time for 
 you to get through with the colts you have to drive this 
 afternoon. I may be here in a day or two, and perhaps 
 
362 HORSE POETEAITURE. 
 
 not before the end of the week. I believe you know what 
 to do in the interim, and I shall not trouble you with any 
 commands, as I want to see how you will get along by 
 yourself. There is nothing hke proving theory by 
 practice, and nothing will improve an individual like 
 having to depend on himseK. 
 
 Pupil. — I feel much more confidence in myself, which 
 is one point gained, and I hope that I can go along in a 
 manner that will justify my self-laudation. Before you 
 go, I would like to know if there is any difference to be 
 observed in giving the horses their water. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — AVhen you finish driving, and the horse is 
 unharnessed, give him a swallow or two of water, to 
 moisten the liiDs, throat and tongue, and after he has been 
 clothed and taken out to walk, give a few swallows more, 
 finishiag with the usual quantity at feeding time. I have 
 also changed from former practices in this respect. My 
 custom was to " walk the water iato a horse," by keeping 
 a bucket at the walking ring, and every few minutes giv- 
 ing a portion of it, till the fifteen minutes' walk and the 
 water came to an end at the same time. I think it is a 
 better plan to wait till the circulation is quieter, before the 
 stomach has much fluid put into it. We will give the 
 subject of drink our attention hereafter, when we will 
 have more time to discuss it. In the brush you give 
 Never Mind to morrow, do not exceed three hundred 
 yards. Watch May's action very closely, so as to report 
 any changes, and should any of them show any symptoms 
 of rebellion, treat them with increased kindness. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 WESTEBN CHAKACTEK — TROTTING IN SNOW — DIRECTIONS FOB 
 WATEKING. 
 
 Preceptor. — Good day, scholar. You will perceive I 
 have dropped in in time for dinner, which, I am free to 
 acknowledge, will come very acceptable. I have "occasion," 
 and shall do justice to the good cheer your hostess always 
 prepares for us. I will also admit that the "pleasures of 
 hope" are likely to be fully realized, as I anticipated 
 " blowing a cloud " with you, for I find no other cigars the 
 equals of those Principes. 
 
 Pupil. — I am dehghted to see you, and better pleased 
 that you have timed your visit just as you have, when we 
 can have a good talk without being interrupted with the 
 driving. Please to step into my room, as I have another 
 evidence of Western liberaHty to show you. 
 
 Preceptor. — True enough, you have a goodly "lay out," 
 and I would suppose, from the exhibition of this 
 paraphernaHa, that you have foregone your strict tem- 
 perance principles, and become a votary of the vine-clad, 
 jolly god, as well as a disciple of the Indian weed. 
 
 Pupil. — I have no intention of indulging in any of these 
 enticements, and my vow of strict total abstinence from 
 spirits, wine, or beer, is no more likely to be broken than 
 if this nectar were a hundred miles off. But test it, fill 
 up a bumper of what you like the best ; . I will warrant it 
 
364 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 of the true quality, and after you have imbibed, will read 
 you a letter that accompanied it. 
 
 Preceptor. — " That good wine needs no bush," is an old 
 and true adage. I hardly ever drink till after dinner, and 
 do not feel capable of giving an opinion that would be 
 worthy of much weight, but that brandy I toot the thim- 
 bleful of is as smooth as oil, and nearly as fragrant as the 
 breath of the morning. 
 
 Pupil. — ^I want you to try a bottle of that sherry at 
 dinner. If you praise the odor of the brandy, you will be 
 completely carried away Avith the aroma — but the letter 
 will say better than I what needs to be said: — 
 
 " Chicago, June 1st, 18 — . 
 
 " My Dear Friend. — Having a httle spare time on my 
 hands, I thought I would acquaint you with what is going 
 on in this tight httle town. No doubt Hod keeps you 
 much better posted on all pertaining to horses and other 
 &c's, of which he is so good a judge; but there are things 
 of which I know a httle myself, and which I could not 
 help bringing to your notice. In this country where the 
 air is clear, and no salt vapors borne on every breeze, a 
 man can keep healthy as easy as a horse. All that he has 
 to do is to eat, drink, laugh, and take his share of exercise 
 to get along jBrst-rate. But do\\Ti where you are now, 
 there is a vast difference. The sea fogs and the sea winds 
 penetrate everything, and a man can no more be healthy 
 without a drop to repel these insinuating ocean-bred 
 vapors, than a man can keep warm ia his shirt sleeves 
 when the wind blows from off the lake. So I send you a 
 variety of my very best, and if you are still too obstinate 
 to take it in moderation yourself, for the sake of the 
 reputation of your Western friends, treat your visitors with 
 more respect than only to be shoving one of John E.'s re- 
 gahas at them, without a drop to moisten their palates, 
 which would make smoking endui'able. Surely, men can- 
 
LET TEE FROM CHICAGO. 365 
 
 flot smoke all the while, and what would you have them 
 do when listening to your long-winded stories about 
 horses, and pedigrees, harnesses, and bits, if they have 
 nothing but a trumpery cigar to suck at ? Why didn't 
 you stop when you went through, and lay in a sujoply ? as 
 I have no doubt we have all suffered from their taking 
 you for a specimen of Western horsemen. Mind, they do 
 not know you, and will ascribe to penuriousness what 
 your friends are aware is only absence of mind, and not 
 thinking of the wants of others. You talk about the com- 
 fort of smoking, and the fine sights you see when the 
 cloud is curling above your nostrils. Arrah na boclish, 
 man ! there is more comfort in a whiskey punch of a cold 
 night, and more fine imaginings in a dozen of them, than 
 there is in all the cigars in 48 Dearborn Street put to- 
 gether. I see you are hkely to get acquainted with Mr 
 P. I know he is of the real sort ; and I will be wonder- 
 fully disappointed if he gets there before you have some 
 thing to treat him decently with. Tell him that sherry 
 has been in the wood for fifteen-years, and that I bottled 
 the port myself the same length of time ago. It is now 
 just ripe, and he must on no account leave a bottle, as it 
 will never be as good again. Tell the old man not to be 
 vexed, that I have sent a basket of champagne for Misses 
 Jane and Susan ; and I beheve you would have been 
 omadhaun enough to have gone to the races at Jerome 
 Park with them, and never have thought of clapping a 
 few bottles in the carriage. The poetry of motion, as you 
 call it, in seeing a half score of thoroughbreds rattling 
 over a dirty track is rather a dry sight ; about as bad as 
 smoking with only tasteless water to wash out the goiiL 
 If you had only seen the field after the Galway hounds, 
 or witnessed a steeple-chase with the Montgomery's, Lord 
 Howth, and the dirty blackguard Tom Eerguson in it ! such 
 a skrimmage at the finish, and such a shouting as you 
 
366 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 never can hear anywhere else. Ah ! that's worth all your 
 racing, and stirs the blood equal to the best potheen. 
 Well, we all have to be contented with trotters in this 
 country. The two sorrel mares are doing first rate, and 
 with Black Dan and his mate I can give Plowboy and 
 Fine Cut as merry a chase to Hyde Park and back as 
 they want. 
 
 "If any of your Eastern acquaintances are coming this 
 way, tell thefn to step into 112 Randolph Street, whenever 
 anything belonging to me is at their sei'vice, and Hod and 
 I will take delight in showing them what is worthy of 
 seeing. 
 
 "Don't forget to get a sideboard, and Iceep the bottles 
 always in sight. Remember, every one does not smoke, 
 and the only good in a cigar is the relish it gives to the 
 drink. There is no use in hoping that you will follow 
 sensible advice yourself ; but I hope that your pride that 
 the character of the West does not suffer, will caution you 
 to take the advice of your fiiend." 
 
 This letter is a fair exemplar of the character of my 
 friend. A liberal Irishman — he has had Western profu- 
 sion gTafted on the kind disposition, till he not only wants 
 to see his friends enjoying themselves, but is determined 
 his friend's friends shall not lack for comforts if he can 
 supply them. 
 
 I will now — before we take dinner — give you a history 
 of what I have done for the few days while you have been 
 gone. I have followed the directions as nearly as I could, 
 and have only varied from them with Delle. With her I 
 have gone on the road every day, and after jogging six or 
 eight miles have returned to the track, and speeded her 
 up and down the stretches. Twice she has worn the rat- 
 tles, and I wish you had been here to see her go. She is 
 going to overtake May, in a very short time. She bends 
 her knees with them on hke an old trotter, and in place 
 
REPOJIT OF THE HOR»ES. 367 
 
 of rushing off her feet in a hundred yards, will go the 
 whole length of the stretch without breaking. I have 
 prepared Falcon for his sweat to-morrow, and intend that 
 Jane and Never Mind shall go through the same opera- 
 tion the day after. Clipper is doing very finely; there has 
 been no heat in his legs, and less swelling than when I 
 commenced driving him. May's action has undergone a 
 change that I did not look for, having lengthened her 
 stride, and she goes sweeping through the stretch a good 
 deal like her sire. Oriole I have confined to very short 
 brushes every other day, when I have let her spirt off for a 
 hundred or two yards. She showed no symptoms of hitch- 
 ing. One of the little boys has ridden Mavourneen along- 
 side of me when I have been driving, and she seems bet- 
 ter suited to the saddle than the harness. They are all 
 eating well. Not one of them but is anxious for the feed- 
 ing hour to come, and as it approaches, are all agog for 
 their rations. Jane works as Idndly as when you saw her. 
 Once she appeared a little fidgetty, when I turned hei 
 round, going the reverse way of the track, and she be- 
 came as sedate as I wanted. Should she continue as 
 docile when sweating, I do not think we will have any 
 further trouble with her. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — A very good report, only that you should 
 not have speeded Delle every day. Twice a week, three- 
 times at the outside, is enough for a horse to go at speed, 
 and then the distance should be short. The instructions I 
 gave you about driving the colts were not meant to embrace 
 her; as her rate of going, when at her best speed, is fast 
 enough to work injury if driven every day. 
 
 Pupil. — In saying that I drove her fast every day up 
 and down the stretches, I did not mean that I sent her at 
 her best rate, and only when she wore the rattles did I 
 Buffer her to approach it. 
 
 Preceptor. — That is better. When the rattles are on, it 
 
368 HOESE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 is necessary to let the horse slide along, so as to induce 
 the bending of the knee, which will enable him to go fast, 
 and thus, by associating the necessarily higher action re- 
 quu'ed by speed, and that of the rattles together, the ben- 
 efit is permanent. I have known a horse's knee action 
 improved by being driven in deep sand, but there are few 
 horses that would not be endangered in other respects, 
 which would not be compensated for by the acquirement 
 of better action in their knees. 
 
 Pupil. — AHonging the colts in a deep, hght snow, has a 
 good effect in increasing the bending of their knees, and 
 I am in the habit of practicing them through the winter 
 whenever a suitable time comes. I have seen colts that 
 did not exhibit anything of a trotting gait when running 
 in the pasture field, but on a fall of snow take to trotting 
 through it in a manner that could not be excelled. A 
 neighbor of mine bred three colts, which I purchased when 
 they were yearhngs. They were by the Falcon, and their 
 dams were half-bred. The one from the fastest ti'otting 
 mare disappointed me greatly. He did not seem to have 
 the faculty of bending his knees at all when trotting, and 
 would shuffle along at that gait, turning his feet out ; the 
 ^hole motion appearing to be confined to the uj)per 
 pastern joint. He was very handsome and showed a good 
 deal of breeding. I gave him to a friend of mine, telhng 
 him I was afraid he would prove an exception to the most 
 of his relatives, though I still had hopes that the family 
 charteristics only laid dormant, and would develop them- 
 selves in time. From having more colts than I could 
 break, he was suffered to run till after he was five years 
 old, before he had a hai*ness put on him. The winter 
 previous, the snow was very deep, and I had the satisfac- 
 tion of seeing him trot through it with no fault apparent 
 in his action. When broken, I drove him on a sandy road 
 for a while, and in less than two months he could trot 
 
SHERRY BETWEEN THE HEATS. 369 
 
 close to three minutes; and I have no doubt that when his 
 training is resumed, he will gain, correspondingly to the 
 work he gets. 
 
 Peeceptor. — As I told you before, I have not looked on 
 the alloyiging process with any favor. There would be an 
 advantage attending it, however, in the case you mention ; 
 as the horse would neither have to drag nor carry weight, 
 I have thought that the excessive bending of the knee of 
 most of the French horses, bred in Canada, has been owing 
 to having acquired the habit by being driven chiefly when 
 snow was on the ground, and should that be the case, we 
 may look for improvement in those deficient, by subjecting 
 them to the same woi-k, or something analogous. 
 
 Pupil. — Dinner is now ready. Walk in, and I will go 
 up stairs after the bottle of sherry, — or would you prefer 
 port? 
 
 Pbeceptob. — No, a half pint of sherry is the most ] 
 indulge in at dinner, and, though I suppose your friend 
 means me when he says the old man, I am not old enough 
 to prefer the heavy, heady port to the more agreeable, 
 nutty-flavored wine. Sherry is the only alcoholic or vinous 
 stimulant that I ever give to a horse between the heats Id 
 a race, and I always prefer to get along, if possible, with- 
 out even that. When it is given, it should be some ten 
 minutes before the start for the heat. I have seen men 
 poiu' it down just as the horse was starting, which could 
 do no good, as the energy it gives does not arise till the 
 absorbents have time to take it into the system. 
 
 Pupil. — Do not be offended at my friend calling you the 
 old man. The term is often used in the West as a familiar 
 manner of addressing a person that is much thought of, 
 and, my life on it, should you go to Chicago and 
 introduce yourself to him, you would be treated wdth as 
 much respect as if you were the President, and in place 
 of considering you as an old man that needed nui'sing, 
 
370 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 jou would require tlie stamina and vigor of youth to 
 undergo the round of pleasure-seeking he would insist 
 upon. 
 
 Pbeceptob. — Truly, I must commend his taste and know- 
 ledo-e of wine. I never drank better than this, and the 
 aroma and peach flavor combined is above praise. This 
 will completely spoil me from enjoying what we ordinarily 
 get, and 1 am incUned to think you have happened on the 
 very best bottle there is. From finding my taste similar 
 to the hon vivants of my acquaintance, my award can be 
 accepted, as in all probability, just ; and while I do not 
 want you to neglect the donor's advice in keeping the 
 bottles always in sight, never set this before an^ one unless 
 you are sure he will appreciate it. It would be a great 
 pity that a drop should be wasted by going down the 
 throats of those who cannot tell New Jersey cider from 
 Johannesberger, or who fancy the odor of "Night Blooming 
 Cereus" is equal to the perfume of the violet. I anticipate 
 great pleasure in meeting those of your Western friends, 
 who prove the falsity of the idea of "out of sight, out of 
 mind," and whose care of your comfort when away will 
 be sm^e warrant of a warm welcome when we get on your 
 old stamping ground. 
 
 Pupil. — I will say nothing more of Western character 
 and habits, for fear I may over-estimate them, and do 
 injury by causing you to look for perfections, that their 
 universal kindness to me may be the means of my over- 
 coloring. Still, I will wager everything I own against a 
 boy's top, that, for genuine hospitality, warm fi-iendships, 
 and a desire to make every one who comes in their sphere 
 happy, Western people cannot be excelled, and those who 
 have a fondness for the horse, racers and trotters, are the 
 very perfection of even Western manhood. 
 
 Preceptor. — We ended the conversation, when I waa 
 liere before, by a few remarks on watering horses in train- 
 
ABOUT WATEE. 371 
 
 ing. We will reconsider it previous to going to the stable. 
 The quantity of this fluid should be as closely scrutinized 
 as that of the food we give, and from the very clearest 
 holding matter in solution that is detrimental, there is 
 danger in giving water, containing these properties, even 
 if aware of it, and using something to correct the bad 
 effect. Rain, river and spring water are the kinds in use 
 for horses. The first, if it receives no admixture from the 
 roof that collects, or the receptacle that receives it, is 
 pure. This fact has led many to believe that it is superior 
 to others for horses in training. Without absolutely deny- 
 ing that to be the case, I am led to believe that "harder" 
 water may be equally as good, and perhaps better in some 
 instances. When we find the osseous framework of the 
 horse is composed of material which water sometimes 
 holds in solution, and which the animal has to obtain from 
 the food it gets, may not the structure be easier built, or 
 wants repaired, by a proportion of the necessary material 
 being contained in the drink ? 
 
 I have seen horses in like good condition when trained 
 either on soft or hard water, and more danger arises in a 
 sudden change fi'om the kind accustomed to, if even the 
 change is to that of a better quality, the system having 
 adapted itself to the kind in use. This is so well known 
 that we frequently see a supi^ly of water taken with a 
 horse, when the conveyance has been a good deal of 
 expense and trouble ; and this is often used as a very 
 strong argument in favor of rain water. If cisterns were built 
 by the various tracks, the drink would be identical, and 
 the danger of a change done away with. I have found in 
 my practice that, when circumstances compelled me to a 
 change, all danger was obviated by adding a handful of 
 linseed meal, gradually decreasing it as the use of the 
 new kind was continued. I can hardly give satisfactory 
 reasons why this result should be, only that the mucilage 
 
372 HOESE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 defends the stomacli from the corrosion of foreign matter, 
 and thus neutraHzes its effects. Water is benefited bj? 
 being exposed to the sun and air, and when using fi-om 
 close wells or covered cisterns, I alway allow it to stand 
 long enough to change, and approach nearer the tempe- 
 rature of the atmosphere. The temperature of the water 
 is also of importance, and while at times that of the blood is 
 the proper heat, there are others when it will not do to be 
 the least tepid, but must be regulated to what will benefit 
 the horse to drink. The acidulating of water by the use of 
 the best tartaric acid, I have found beneficial, as in the 
 case of sweating to guard against fever; and some horses 
 acquiring a fondness for the taste of it, will drink when 
 they otherwise would not touch a drop. This is an advan- 
 tage in the case of light feeders, as they are generally 
 horses that drink but very little, and if we can coax them 
 to imbibe more fluid, their appetite will be increased in a 
 proportinate ratio, and better condition result. 
 
 The amount that each horse can be restricted to can 
 only be told by careful experiment, and the mean between 
 an inordinate drinker, and one whose thirst seems easily 
 satisfied, would be a proper mark to giiide us. I have 
 ound in both cases that frequent watering is the best plan. 
 With those that would drink too much, I only put into 
 the bucket the amount they are to have, and not being 
 allowed to distend themselves, they soon become accus- 
 tomed to the restriction. The others will, perhaps, not drink 
 at all, unless the bucket is full, and some will not touch 
 it unless it is set down, and they can take it unobserved. 
 The same caution must be practiced not to have too much 
 water in a horse's stomach before his fast work is given, as 
 not to fill it with grain and hay. A pailful of water, given 
 a httle while before a race, will effectually stop a horse 
 from winning, if his competitors are anywhere near him 
 in speed. This shows that exertion is impeded, and the 
 
SPONGING THE MOUTH. 373 
 
 race may not only be lost, but serious injury arise from 
 pushing the animal to do, or try to do, more than he can. 
 
 I have spoken of the plan of giving horses water after 
 their work, by small quantities at a time, while they are 
 walking. In signifying my custom of following another 
 plan, I do not decry this entirely, but would follow it 
 under certain circumstances, as when delicate horses would 
 drink better than if we waited till the expiration of the 
 walk. Horses may be very much fatigued after a hard 
 race, and require something to support them while they 
 are taking their walk, which should always be given till 
 the tumult in the blood wholly, or at least j)artially, sub- 
 sides. A few swallows of water are very refreshing, but not 
 so good as the same quantity of oatmeal gruel; or, should 
 a horse be washy, I would use wheat flour, which affords 
 nourishment as well as refreshment. We often see a great 
 deal of fuss made sponging and washing a horse's mouth 
 and nostrils after the scoring has commenced. Some 
 grooms pride themselves on the dexterity with which they 
 handle the sponge and bucket, and many a greenhorn 
 watches the process with a good deal of awe, considering 
 it has much to do with the horse's going fast. On a very 
 hot day, and when the track is dusty, it is essential to keep 
 the mouth fr-om parching, and to remove the dust from the 
 nostrils. When these are accompHshed, further swash- 
 ings are unnecessary ; and what is needless is wrong. 
 
 We will go to the stable, and as you are getting along 
 so well, I think it may be two weeks before I am here 
 again. The difference you should observe in sweating the 
 Falcon to-morrow from what we practiced with Never 
 Mind, is, that you can give him two miles more work, and 
 you need not keep up the flow as long as we did with the 
 other. The pace may be a httle faster and the clothing 
 the same. Jane can be treated the same, using every 
 precaution to preserve the tranquillity of her temper. The 
 
374: HORSE POETRAITUEE. 
 
 second day after sweating, you can brusli the two horses, 
 Never Mind nearly the length of the stretch, and the Fal- 
 con two brushes of a couple of hundred yards each, driving 
 a half mile at a good round pace between them. Should 
 Jane be willing to go quietly at three-quarters speed, you 
 can let her go half a mile at that gait, and if you permit 
 her to brush at all, stop her the moment she appears exci 
 ted. The morning before you give the sweats, you can 
 open them according to the former directions I gave. 
 With all these instructions from me, there will be a 
 great proportion of the work, of which you will have to be 
 the judge when you are giving it. But for the ensuing 
 two weeks, more danger will arise from giving too much 
 fast work than not enough. The slow work can also be 
 overdone as well as the other, and you must examine 
 strictly to see that there is no swelling or heat in any of 
 the joints, or any puffiness above the pasterns or in the 
 hocks. Your horses ought to go to their work in a 
 cheerful spirit, and should one appear dull, shorten his 
 work till you find the amount he will undergo without 
 depression. In all of the fast work you give, it will be 
 preferable that they do not go at their very topmost rate, 
 as I would rather they did not break until they were in 
 condition to stand going- quite a distance. Giving horses 
 lessons that wiU accustom them to make good breaks, is 
 often very tiring and trying to the temper of biped and 
 quadruped, and if the horses are in order to take the 
 work without the injury these will entail, much wiU be 
 gained. 
 
 I judge by the time I have fixed to visit you again, the 
 horses wiU bear quite an increase of work, and you can be 
 gradually preparing them for that event, by giving them 
 what you deem necessary, and by enlarging the feed of 
 those that you think wiU require it. In making additions 
 to the feed, add to the ten o'clock and to the last in the 
 
LESSONS IN BEEAKING. 375 
 
 evening. The feeds occuring before the work, cannot be 
 materially enlarged, without causing over-fullness in the 
 stomach just when required to go fast. Clipper should be 
 ready for his first sweat by the time I come back, and you 
 need make no change in his preparation from that of Never 
 Mind, with this variation, of not giving quite so much 
 walk, which his legs would not stand without injury. I 
 have mentioned that I would prefer them not to break 
 for a time yet, and the only way you can keep them from 
 doing that, is to leave quite a margin between the pace 
 you go and their best rate. Horses will break when not 
 near up to their fastest gait. Yet you will find them easier 
 controlled, than when hurried off their legs by endeavor- 
 ing to have them trot faster than they can. I have known 
 many horses that would "jump up" when going moder- 
 ately fast, that were honest as could be when going at full 
 speed. The great part of the education of trotters is to 
 teach them to go without breaking, and when they do 
 break, to be able to recover therefrom without the loss of 
 much ground. These lessons however, must be ' given as 
 much as is possible when the body is in condition to 
 endure extra fatigue; and, necessary as they are, we shall 
 gain by waiting until we can give them safely. These re- 
 marks will only apply to the old horses. With the colts, now 
 is the time to teach them a good system of breaking. The 
 first lessons are of great importance, and if you succeed 
 in making good breakers of them now, it will take 
 very bad handing hereafter to spoil them in this re- 
 spect. 
 
 Every morning before you commence work, examine 
 critically the condition of the horses' feet. Observe if they 
 stand squarely on them in the stable, and see that there 
 are no loose shoes, clinches raised, or breaking of the 
 horn. The replacing of a broken nail may save a shoe 
 coming off, and, perhaps, tearing part of the foot with 
 
376 HOKSE POETKAITURE. 
 
 it. Notice tlie boys when they are cleaning out the dirt 
 from the sole, frog, and under the shoe. The less they 
 use the foot hook, the better, depending on the water 
 and brush to clean out the fissiu-es between the bar and 
 the frog, and the clefts between the bulbs of it. Tear- 
 ing away at the foot with the picker interferes with the 
 healthy state of the sole, which I find is better by leav- 
 ing is as much undisturbed as we can, and the ragged 
 portions of the frog, which the boys are so anxious to pull 
 off, cannot be removed without bringing with them parts 
 that ought to remain. 
 
 Pupil. — How would you arrive at the correct knowledge 
 of the quantity of water a horse ought to have, in one 
 that was inclined to di-ink too much, and had to be re- 
 stricted ? 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — By gradually decreasing the amount ; and 
 as long as he looked and fed well, there could be no injury. 
 But if the restriction produced a decline of appetite, it 
 would show that the system required more fluid than he 
 was getting, and the quantity would have to be increased. 
 Habit has a great deal to do with this, as in everything else, 
 and the force of custom alone may lead a horse to drink 
 more than he needs. "When the plan is followed of allow- 
 ing horses to drink from a trough in a yard, or a running 
 stream or pond, the amount of water can be only guessed 
 at, and is a way of proceding that I do not favor. When 
 adopted, the capacity of swallowing ought to be found out 
 by observing the number of swallows a horse takes in 
 drinking a certain quantity of water, so that we can tell 
 about what he has taken when thus watered. There is a 
 great difference in the swallowing capacity among horses. 
 Some of them will empty a three-gallon bucket in 
 forty swallows, while others will require seventy or eighty 
 "go downs" for the same amount. As in the case of ring 
 watering, I would only allow a horse to drink fr-om a 
 
DEPAETURE. 377 
 
 trough, stream, or pond, when he could not be induced to 
 drink as well from the pail. This remark, of course only 
 applies to those who do not drink water enough, and re- 
 quire to be humored to induce them to take it. 
 
 I will now take my depature, having full confidence that 
 on my return I will find your horses looking and doing 
 well, should no accident happen to interfere with your 
 Dianasremeut. 
 
CHAPTEE XXYI. 
 
 CUTTrNG THE QUARTERS — APPEARANCE OP HORSES WHEN Dl 
 
 CONDITION — THE MODEL FORM FOR A HORSE — THE BRAIN 
 
 THE GREAT RESERVOIR OF POWER. 
 
 Preceptor. — Wliy ! what is the matter ? Tou have as 
 rueful a look as the Knight of the Sorrowful Coun- 
 tenance. 
 
 Pupil. — ^I have met with the first bad luck I have had 
 this season. Never Mind has cut his quarter badly. 
 
 Preceptor. — It would have been a great deal worse il 
 he had struck his knee. It is rather a bad wound, and I 
 am surprised he could do it with the shoes he is wearing. 
 Get some strong Hnen or cotton cloth, and tear it into 
 strips, a couple of inches wide. Hand me that bottle of 
 fir-balsam, and we will see if we cannot repair the dam- 
 age. AVash the wound out clean with tepid water. Now 
 we will draw it close together, and, after applying- the 
 bandages for two or three thicknesses, cover them with the 
 balsam, again wrapping them over the coronet until we get 
 several folds, which will completely exclude the air and 
 moisture. The flesh of a horse, in tbe condition that 
 Never Mind now is, will heal very readily, and I should 
 not be surprised if this heals by the first intention, as the 
 doctors term it. I have had worse cuts than this get well 
 more rapidly than I would have thought possible, by treat- 
 ing them after this simple method. An impervious coating 
 is formed that protects the cut from dust and dirt; and nine 
 times in ten, if applied as soon as the injury is done, it 
 
BAD SHOEING. 379 
 
 will not suppurate, and the horse's work go on the same 
 as if he had not been hurt. You will have to watch that 
 suppuration does not take place, as, in that case, there 
 will have to be an outlet for the matter. You will detect 
 it from increased heat in the foot, and the horse exhibit- 
 ing pain when you touch it. If this 'does not occur, the 
 bandage must not be disturbed, until time enough has 
 elapsed for the cure to take place. How did it occur ? I 
 was in hopes to have got home before you had driven him, 
 as I wanted to see how he was going ; though, from hav- 
 ing been away longer than I intended, I presume you 
 thought I had forsaken you entirely. 
 
 Pupil. — I have missed you very much, though I have 
 had extraordinary good fortune tiU this accident took 
 place. I was repeating a brush I had given him of a 
 quarter of a mile, or such matter. In the first, he came 
 down the stretch very fast, when I let him go a three- 
 minute gait tiU he came to the three-quarter pole again, 
 and on clucking to him, he burst off at a tremendous pace 
 — I am confident it was fast enough to trot in twenty or 
 better — when he made a wild break. I snatched him 
 rather short, and the consequence was that cut. 
 
 Peeceptok. — Pick up his off hind foot; the shoe must 
 have got out of shape to inflict so much damage, as I never 
 saw the shoe he is wearing do more than bruise the quar- 
 ter. How is this ? What are those large-headed nails in 
 for? 
 
 Pupil. — The shoe got a little loose, and in place of send- 
 ing him to the shop, I pulled out the nails, one at a time, 
 and replaced them by driving these in the same holes. I 
 thought, as all his shoes would need replacing in a few 
 days, I would make it do till he was shod all around. 
 
 Preceptor. — I hope this will be a lesson to you, that, if 
 you contemplate shoeing your horses, you will first learn 
 to be a blacksmith, and then provide yourself with proper 
 
380 HOESE PORTEAITURE. 
 
 tools. It is great fortune that the injuiy has not been 
 more serious than it is. I would have imagined that, 
 when you saw these nails sticking out hke the calkins of 
 a cart horse, you would have taken the rasp and filed 
 them off. 
 
 Pupil. — The rasp had become worn, so that the job 
 would have been very tedious. But I will engage that 
 this lesson will be remembered, and if I ever drive a nail 
 in a horse's foot again, I will observe due caution that the 
 head does not arise above the fuller in the shoe. I am 
 very glad that your visit came so apropos, as the balsam 
 dressing is new to me, and I should have bound it up with 
 a solution of copperas and whiskey. 
 
 Pbeceptob. — That is a capital application for ordinary 
 flesh wounds in a horse, and I am not acquainted with 
 anything better, though for a recent injury to the coronet, 
 we want something that will support, and keep the parts 
 in adhesion. Tou must have commenced early this morn- 
 ing if you are done driving all, except the colts, at this 
 time of the day. I do not approve of taking horses out 
 too early, and would much rather that the sun should be 
 up long enough to dissipate the vapors that collect during 
 the night. 
 
 Pupil. — For the last week the weather has been so warm 
 that I have begun earher than we formerly practiced, so 
 as to have the older horses done up before the heat of the 
 day. I have driven the Falcon first, and I think he 
 enjoys the early breath of the morning, and will welcome 
 the sun as it makes its first appearance over the hills, by 
 signs of delight as unmistakable as though he had the 
 power of expressing his thoughts in words. However, I 
 will defer taking him out in future tiU the sun's rays fall 
 more askant. Should you be inclined to listen, I will re- 
 count what I have done for the three weeks you have been 
 gone. 
 
APPEARAN"CE WHEK IN COKDITION". 381 
 
 Peegeptob. — I will liear your story shortly. lu the mean- 
 time I want to pay a visit to the Falcon, and tender him 
 my regards. I will stay with you until after the horses 
 are all worked to-morrow, when I can give a better idea 
 of how they have done, than by looMng at them in the 
 stalls. This noble fellow is certainly looking as well as he 
 could. There is an elastic, firm feeling, when you put 
 your hand on him, that shows his condition is more for- 
 ward than the length of time he has been in training 
 would lead one to expect. His skin is as phant as the 
 best chamois leather, and the bloom on his coat betokens 
 that his health is prime. It would take very close ex- 
 amination to detect that he is not in the best condition, as 
 to the hand the muscles appear well seasoned, and he has 
 not more flesh than I think he ought to carry. The crest 
 is a little thick yet, and the muscles are hardly as distinct 
 as they will be after a few more sweats, given with fast 
 work. These will fine away the material, now partially 
 hiding them, when he will show a covering that will emul- 
 ate spring steel in its density, and quickness of recoil 
 when the contraction takes place. 
 
 It is extremely difficult to determine, from the appear- 
 ance of a horse, what his condition is. It is true that 
 horses in condition have a similarity of appearance, though 
 condition may seem to be there, without the cor- 
 responding capacity to perform. The trainer, who knows 
 the amount of work the horse has received, is the best 
 judge, and even his calculations are oftentimes erroneous, 
 as the result of many a race has proven. One thing he 
 should be "better posted" on than any one else is, the 
 amount of flesh the horse ought to carry, and he must not 
 allow his judgment to be changed by the criticism of any 
 one, no matter how able he may be, if he is not thorough- 
 ly conversant with the character of the horse before him. 
 
 When horses are in condition, they should, in a great 
 17 
 
382 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 majority of cases, have a blooming coat, ev( ry hair in its 
 right place, glossy and shining like the feathers on a 
 pigeon's neck. The muscles should be prominent, and, being 
 handled, feel hard and springy. The skin should be loose, 
 so that you can pull it away from the liesh for quite a dis- 
 tance, but, when released from the grasp, fly back Hke a 
 piece of rubber. The interstices between the muscles 
 should show distinctly, which gives that cordy appearance, 
 like a cable made of wire. The legs should be free from 
 swelling, cool, and the tendons hard, with a sharp outline. 
 The joints should be divested of everything but bone and 
 tendon, the skin on them loose, but firm. The neck is a 
 great guide in determining condition, and though the 
 large muscles running from the shoulder to the poll have 
 nothing to do with progression, the state they are in ^vill 
 be a guide to aid us in arriving at the condition of the 
 other parts. The windpipe should be detached, with noth- 
 ing to hide the view of it, to where it enters the chest. 
 Near the joining of the head it ought to hang loose, show- 
 ing three-quarters of its circumference. The muscles of 
 the neck should be clearly defined, and the upper one that 
 forms the crest, should rise to a shai-p edge, and be as 
 hard as a cut nail. This sharpness arises fi'om the ab- 
 sorption of the fatty matter that lies immediately below 
 the mane. 
 
 The great index, however, is the eye, and though the 
 horse may have all the appearance of condition that I have 
 imperfectly noted, if the eye be dull, or give fitful flashes 
 of animation in the excitement of coming on to the track, 
 he will surely not be able to do what he ought to. It is 
 very hard to describe the ai^pearance of the eye of a horse 
 when in prime condition, as the natural expression varies 
 as much as those of the human family, and we will have 
 to be well acquainted with each individual, to avail our- 
 selves of this as a criterion. I never saw a horse that the 
 
APPEARANCE OF THE EYE. 383 
 
 brilliancy of the eye was not heightened by proper train- 
 ing. It may not show as much briskness, as there is a 
 placid look acquired which might deceive you at the first 
 glance ; but as you look again, there is no glassy, unmean- 
 ing stare, and you look down into the clear depths till you 
 cannot but resolve that such an organ must belong to 
 more than ah animal, and that it is a token of a being 
 endowed with that reason, which we haughtily arrogate 
 as only belonging to man. When the horse is led up to 
 start in a race, this placid look is changed to one as deter 
 mined as ever flashed fi-om beneath the brow of ancient 
 knight, attempting deeds that would either heighten his 
 renown to that of the great Arthur himself, or consign him 
 to an honorable grave. A fuming, fretty horse, that rears, 
 pitches, and refuses to come to the score when the time to 
 start has been signaled, has rarely the look I have at- 
 attempted to describe. He is either frightened at the 
 remembrance of unmerited punishment, or is so sore from 
 over or injudicious work, that he does not like to start. 
 I have interrupted the recital of your three-weeks' work 
 longer than I meant, and was led into the remarks I have 
 been making, from the appearance of the Falcon, showing, 
 as he does, better order than the length of time he has 
 been in training would warrant. 
 
 Pupil. — The day after you left, I gave him the sweat he 
 was prepared for. I drove him the next day the usual 
 distance, as I knew from former experience that no de- 
 bihty would follow in his case. The following day I drove 
 him the same distance, allowing him to brush down the 
 stretch, and he came rattling along without attempting to 
 break. I varied his work as you directed, driving him on 
 the road two or three times a week. I generally drove 
 him five miles oiit, coming back at a good round j)ace. 
 The track work has been faster and shorter than you in- 
 tended, as, from the anxiety he manifested to get along, he 
 
384 HOKSE PORTKAITURE. 
 
 would go more quietly at a three-miuute clip than when 
 driven slower. I have sweated him every week, and in- 
 creased his feed to tweve quarts of the mixed hominy and 
 oats. The last week I have made his brushes longer, and 
 he has given me very little trouble breaking, always re- 
 covering the trot of his own accord. In his sweats, I have 
 used less clothing, and driven him faster than any of the 
 others. I confined the wrappings in the last one from the 
 loins forward, as I thought his quarters did not need 
 further reduction, 
 
 Peeceptok. — That his work has been proper his looks 
 testify, and I find that I was right in predicting that he 
 would be got into condition very easily. His form and 
 everything pertaining to his " make-up " are so favorable 
 for speed, that whatever is detrimental is easy of removal. 
 You were right in not covering his loins and quarters, and 
 I am of the opinion that hereafter his neck and belly will 
 only need clothing, the other portions of his body getting 
 into order without the aid of clothes. 
 
 Pupil. — Never Mind I have also sweated three times 
 since you were here, and I have been increasing his work, 
 not so much as the Falcon, yet, I am afraid, a little more 
 than was advisable. I have walked him the day after 
 each sweat, and on the following day allowed him to brush 
 from three to five hundred yards, occasionally repeating 
 it. The morning before sweating, I have also "moved 
 him," and in the last week I permitted him to go a forty 
 gait once round the track. He was getting a little nervous 
 and flighty, and I thought an increase of work might 
 sober him without being otherwise prejudicial. 
 
 Preceptor. — Being convinced of an error is the siu'est 
 sign of amendment. His nervousness and flighty demean- 
 or were, no doubt, occasio)ied by the exercise being more 
 than was proper, and you fell into the very common mis- 
 take of attributing it to want of work. He had become 
 
NEVEK MIND AKD JANE. 385 
 
 somewliat sore in the muscles, and thougli his high tem- 
 per induced him to burst off when the reins were loosened, 
 the trot was painful to him, which he sought to relieve by 
 breaking into a gait that would exercise the muscles in a 
 different direction, and thus afford him relief. When he 
 broke, you should have given him his head for a short 
 distance, talking soothingly to quiet him, when he might 
 have taken to trotting again himself; or, if he did not, if 
 you had puUed him directly back, in place of snatching 
 him to one side, he in all likelihood would never have 
 touched his quarter. You have not reduced him more 
 than he ought to have shrunk, in the length of time that 
 has elapsed since his first sweat. For the present, we will 
 confine liis fast work to once a week, and, by jogging him 
 further, accomplish the necessary exercise, and allow the 
 soreness to subside. We will have the outside of the track 
 harrowed till it is quite deep, and you can give him all 
 the work on that part, making his brushes corresponding- 
 ly shorter. How about Jane ? I am anxious to hear of 
 her doings. She certainly looks well, and from the further 
 diminution of the enlargement on her knee, I would judge 
 she does not brush it anj more. 
 
 Pupil. — Jane has performed admirably. I have also 
 been working her as much as I dare. She has gone 
 through the same number of sweats as the Falcon, and 
 has never become irritated in the least. I have not " taken 
 her by the head " for as speedy a brush as the others have 
 had, though I have let her stride along at a good round 
 gait. I had proposed to drive her as fast as I could to- 
 morrow, and, if you think it is best, will do so. You can 
 then judge better how she ought to be handled hereafter. 
 
 Peegeptoe. — It will be proper, as she is in condition to 
 undergo it; and as we can never win races without going 
 fast, it is time that all of those which we intend to employ 
 in trotting races should give us a taste of their quality. 
 
386 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 There is nothing like an actual race in training trotters. 
 Exercise, as we give it daily, is a necessary probationary 
 stage ; but the teachings of one race are oftentimes 
 worth more than a month's training, and the condition 
 benefited in the same proportion. It wiU not be long, 
 now, before we will put them to this practical test ; and as 
 the trotting-meetiug advertised will take place in a month, 
 we must have some of them ready to win, if they can. 
 Now for your report of this grey feUow, who is looking 
 rather coarse compared with the rest. 
 
 Pupil. — His work has, so far, been slow only. I have 
 been softening him for a sweat, which I intended to give 
 in a day or two. His legs, you see, are still improving, 
 and none of the colts feel better than he does now. I 
 have jogged him from four to six miles a day, and he has 
 only walked half the time the others did. He appears to 
 wonder that he is never called on to go fast when on the 
 track, and, at first, would become excited whenever he 
 was turned around on it. I think he is beginning to 
 have a more favorable opinion of the graded oval, and the 
 kind treatment proves a specific for him, as well as for 
 Jane. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — With the great amount of speed I have 
 heard he possesses, it well be worth all our care to in- 
 duce him to forget his former ill usage. A gentleman, 
 who knew him when a colt, informs me that he was 
 superior to Jno. Morgan in that point, which is recom- 
 mendation enough to those who knew the chestnut in his 
 palmy days. He is progressing as favorably as we can 
 look for, though I still fear the effects of fast work on his 
 legs, and I am inclined to think the firing iron and a 
 winter's run will be necessary, before we can depend on 
 their standing. The young ones I will see you drive after 
 dinner. I must own that another moiety of your friend's 
 sherry will be very acceptable, and you must be aware 
 
AT DINNER. 387 
 
 tliat my business lias been very urgent, when all the 
 attractions you have here could not be attended to till now. 
 
 Pupil. — Won't you try a modicum of brandy, as an 
 appetizer before dinner ? or, here is some bitters that I 
 will warrant superior to "old plantation," with all the 
 cabaUstic sigr^s ever painted on an astrologer's tressel- 
 board, to assist it to attract attention. 
 
 Pbecepxoe. — No: I thank you for the offer ; but it is 
 very rare that I drink anything before meals, and nearly 
 as seldom that I drink at all before dinner. When you 
 see me eat, you wiU admit that I do not need a provoca- 
 tive ; and repletion is not only injurious to the health, but 
 the flavor of the sherry, and the aroma of the segar, can- 
 not be so highly enjoyed when the stomach is loaded. 
 
 I have not eaten a meal that pleased me so well as this 
 we have just partaken, since I have been away; and, though 
 some have been eaten at the headquarters of gastronom- 
 ical science, I must award the palm to this. By the way, 
 the port and sherry that I took fi'om your supply was 
 pronounced of the first quality by those who are accredited 
 with being the best judges in the country. I was anxious 
 to learn, if I had formed a proper estimate, as I thought 
 it superior to any I had ever di'ank. Now, if you will 
 " be shoving " one of those Principes to me I will freely 
 forgive your friend for denominating me " the old man," 
 sincerely hoping that he may hve tiU he is old — but not 
 old enough to find life a burden. 
 
 Pupil. — Never fear — as he would say — ^potheen will al- 
 ways have the flavor, and he will feel young as long as he 
 has a friend to benefit. You promised to teU me at some 
 future time, why you considered the form of the Falcon a 
 model of the best for road purposes ; and if not too much 
 trouble, I would like to hear the reasons now. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — I will be pleased to acquaint you ; and 
 though there have been things that I could not satisfac- 
 
388 HOKSE POKTEAITUKE. 
 
 torily account for, as the effects of different kinds of food, 
 &c., the advantages of a certain form can be proved on 
 mechanical principles. Considering the bony fi-amework 
 of the horse as a machine, that is set in motion by the 
 action of the muscles, it is very important that their force 
 should be applied in a manner that will effect a certain 
 result with the least expenditui'e of power. The loin, 
 quarters, and hind legs are the seat of the propelhng force. 
 While I have no faith in reducing the form of the horse to 
 a mathematical problem, calculating by a series of angles 
 the extent of stride a certain configuration will give, there 
 is still an adaj)tabihty of the parts found in a great 
 majority of good horses. The exceptions only prove the 
 necessity of a form approximating the model ; for though 
 we find some points of a good performer not in accord- 
 ance with this principle, we will discover a counteracting 
 force that overcomes the obstacle. Because EngUsh 
 EcHpse had a short, thick shoulder, we must not flatter 
 ourselves that, as our favorite has the same defect, it is not 
 an injury. The powerful quarters that overcame this 
 serious defect in the Eclipse are rarely found ; and though 
 the Enghsh champion had strength enough in these to 
 overbalance the resistance of the heavy shoulder, it would 
 retard a horse of ordinary power, till he would be useless 
 as a racer. 
 
 The hind legs are joined to the body by the upper part 
 of the femur being articulated with the pelvis, the joint 
 forming the connection. The length of that part of the 
 pelvis, which is termed the ileum, constitutes what we 
 call length of hip. In the Falcon, this is of more than 
 ordinary length, which is an advantage in giving more 
 room for the attachment of the muscles that exert their 
 force from this region. A level hip is generally looked 
 upon with the most favor, as the form which will give 
 greater power to the muscles joined to th-f- femur; but I 
 
THE BEST FOKM FOR A TROTTER. 389 
 
 am inclined to think tliat a slight declivity is better, by 
 lengthening the limb this much, and thereby giving a 
 greater reach in the stride. Too much obhquity is a 
 deformity that loses this advantage, by the femur forming 
 too obtuse an angle with the ileum, and, consequently, a 
 waste of the force applied. The length of the femur, or 
 the bone that reaches from the upper joint to the stifle, is 
 also of importance, not only giving better attachment for 
 the muscles, but placing the stifle where it will not be 
 impeded in its motions by the abdomen. The next bone 
 — the tibia — extending from the stifle to the hoclc, forms 
 just the right angle in the Falcon to please me. It is 
 oblique enough to place the hock at the proper position 
 with the body. "When he stands iu a natural manner, a 
 line dropped from the point of the buttock will fall a trifle 
 in front of the point of the hock. This increases his stride, 
 without diminishing the force that the muscles exert. 
 
 His hock is superb, being both wide and deep. This 
 joint has probably as much to do with fast motion as any 
 other in the fi'ame. From its being the seat of lameness, 
 in nine cases in ten, of the hind extremities, we will 
 rightly infer that any weakness in its construction is soon 
 manifest. By being large, the tendons form strong attach- 
 ments, guarding against strains, and by the posterior bony 
 process — the os calcos — ^being long, the tendon, which we 
 call the hamstring, has the advantage of working on a 
 longer lever, doing the business easier, and proi:)eIling it 
 fui'ther in advance than it could, if this were shortened. 
 The length of this bone also gives the wide gaskin, uni- 
 versally recognized as a mark of speed. Looking at the 
 cannon bone from behind, you would think it was too 
 long; but as you step into a position to take a side view, 
 you find it to be very short, and the term " well let down 
 in the hocks " can be apphed to Falcon with truth. Long 
 from the point of the hock to the pastern, measuring 
 
 17* 
 
390 HOKSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 down the tendon, and short from the joint, when follow- 
 ing the metatarsal bone, is the true configuration; and I 
 never saw a horse that excelled him in this particular. 
 The pasterns I like to be of good length, in order that 
 there may be elasticity enough to give freedom to the 
 joints in the foot, adding a little to the ground covered 
 by the hind legs; and as every inch gained in the stride is 
 an object to be looked after, this form of the pastern is 
 the jDroper one. The quality of the muscular covering to 
 the bones we cannot arrive at, though I am inchned to 
 think there is not the difierence in them in horses of 
 greater or less speed, as in the manner in which they act, 
 which is determined by the position of the bones. Thus 
 their greater force of action, which enables an animal to 
 stride from two to five feet further with the same outlay 
 of power, is due to their being placed in a position where 
 their contractions and expansions exert a greater force. 
 These wiry, tendinous masses that are so apparent in the 
 Falcon, may exist in an inferior animal ; but, owing to 
 their being placed in a wrong position, or encumbered by 
 matter that is a hindance to their motion, they cannot act 
 with the same effect. 
 
 The broad, arched loin is a mark of strength; and while 
 a horse that is slack there may have a gi-eat deal of speed, 
 it is seldom coupled with endurance. There is consider- 
 able motion at this point, owing to the flexibility of the 
 backbone; and I always like to see this flexibility aj)parent. 
 I do not mean the scringing motion a horse makes, on 
 pinching him, indicating soreness, but a kind of swaying 
 movement in the walk, which most race horses display. 
 As you stand squarely behind the Falcon, the muscles 
 are developed in harmony with each other. Those 
 on the upper thigh and gaskin are proportioned right, 
 while the inner ones have the same equilibi'ium. They 
 are long, not covering the tendons, as it were, but merged 
 
falcon's form. 391 
 
 into them by degrees. In taking this rear view, we see 
 the ribs forming a curve, which is not hidden by the 
 quarters, showing that he is good in the carcase or middle 
 piece. This gives room for the internal viscera that are 
 situated back of the diaphragm ; also giving that impor- 
 tant muscle room to assist in respiration. His body is that 
 of an elliptical truncated cone, the base at the point I 
 have just mentioned, and the apex where the neck is 
 joined to it. This conformation gives him great depth 
 through the heart, and is much better than if more cylin- 
 di-ical, as the expansion of the chest is greater than if 
 circular. If the chest were a circle, there could be no 
 expansion, while with this form the dilatation is sometimes 
 so great as to burst the girth that confines the saddle. 
 The high and broad shoulder-blade drops back towards 
 the sway, till the distance between it and the anterior 
 part of the pelvis is very short, in comparison to his 
 whole length. This gives the proper angle with the upper 
 arm, permitting the legs to be thrown forward much 
 more than they could be if it were short and upright. 
 
 The elbow-joint is parallel with the body. In our former 
 conversation I dwelt at some length on the necessity for 
 this joint being thus truly placed, any divergence interfer- 
 ing with the action. The sloping shoulder not only gives 
 greater stride, but the concussion is less, which is also im- 
 portant. ^Vhen the weight of a horse's body is propelled 
 with the rapidity which the well-formed quarters and hind 
 legs give, there must be some contrivance to lessen the jar. 
 Thus we see the hind legs are joined to the frame, and 
 tied to it by powerfiil muscles and sinews, but the fore 
 legs receiving at least three-quarters of the weight, could 
 not be so attached without danger of knocking the ma- 
 chine to pieces. Elastic cushions are placed between the 
 shoulder-blades and the body, and the spring formed by 
 the angular position the humerus and scapula assume 
 
392 HOESE POETEAITUEE. 
 
 further giiards it. Length in the fore arm is as essential, or 
 more so, than in the corresponding bone in the hind leg. 
 It gives greater leverage, and enables the animal to cover 
 more ground in the stride. The large broad knee is nearly 
 indispensable to a fast horse, by giving more room for a 
 proper fastening of the tendons. 
 
 Many hold that a small knee is the proper formation. 
 Examine Kentucky, Norfolk, or Asteroid, and I will war- 
 rant all three of them have broad, lathy knees. The bone 
 that projects from the back part of the knee should be 
 large and prominent. The back muscle is attached to this 
 by the tendon, and of course is more firmly bound to it 
 than if it were smaller. I have heard horses, with the tra- 
 pezium very prominent, called "cut away below the knee," 
 when theu- legs could not have been bettered. The knee 
 lias a very important duty to peform in a trotter, and 
 unless a horse has the proper action in it, or acquires it, 
 he will never be likely to go fast. I have also heard people 
 vind fault with a broad knee in a harness horse, arguing 
 *hat he would be more likely to strike it than if smaller. 
 Che position of the limb has more to do with this than 
 ' he size of the joints, and where the legs are straight, 
 'ailing fi'om the body as truly as those of the Falcon, it 
 will take very bad handling to endanger them. A short 
 cannon is the usual accompaniment of a long fore arm. 
 The Hgaments and tendons that convey the motion from 
 the muscles have an important duty to perform. They 
 should be large, giving the leg the flat appearance so de- 
 sirable, and no inequalities should be perceivable to the 
 eye, or be felt as the hand is passed down them. Their 
 size renders them less Hable to strains, or rupture of the 
 delicate membrane that covers them, and a round, fair- 
 sized pastern-joint gives them a betier fastening. The 
 long, springy pastern is of fully as much advantage in the 
 fore legs as in the hind, giving, as I said before, more free- 
 
THE BRAIN THE SEAT OF POWER. 393 
 
 dom of motion to tlie lower pastern and navicular joints, 
 and acting as an additional spring, to preserve those deli- 
 cate articulations from injuiy by concussion. The round, 
 medium-sized foot, with proper strength of horn, we 
 have discussed before. While the neck has nothing to do 
 with progression, a proper form is requisite ; this we also 
 noticed in our conversation on sweating. 
 
 The great reservoir of power is the brain, and, confident 
 as I am that it has more to do with making the successful 
 trotter or race horse the superior of his compeers, than 
 either osseous or muscular formation, yet, as it is not in 
 as tangible a form, I speak of it with delicacy, the fact 
 being incapable of demonstration, and only to be ascer- 
 tained by inference. For instance, we have seen horses of 
 perfect frame, whose bodies were a type of ninety in a 
 hundred that have shown themselves possessed of speed 
 and endurance, their condition perfect, and brought to the 
 post by those who could manage them in the best man- 
 ner, yet not worth, as racers, the last feed of oats they eat. 
 Again, we have known instances of the utter prostration 
 of strength from the fumes of a substance that could not 
 possibly injury the stomach, but which acted at once on 
 the brain and nerves. I am acquainted with a man who 
 travels over the country every spring castrating colts. He 
 never "throws them," merely putting a twitch on their 
 nose, on which he has rubbed something, which he also 
 causes them to smell. They never move while he is per- 
 forming this painful operation. I ascribed it to the twitch, 
 and laughed at him for deluding people with the idea 
 that the smelling had any influence. A veterinary siu'geon, 
 a graduate of the Royal CoJlege, was of the same opinion, 
 and attempted the operation with only the aid of the 
 twitch. At the first stroke of the knife the colt kicked him 
 over, and became perfectly unmanageable. A few snufis 
 from the bottle, and he stood without moving a muscle 
 
394 HOESE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 nutil the job was ended, and the clamps put on. Wallfing 
 off like a man in a dream, I took the vial, and though cau- 
 tioned by the man not to smell it, I was anxious to see if 
 I could detect any of the ingredients. A terrible head- 
 ache was the result. It was generally remarked that the 
 horses he had operated on never had as much spirit 
 afterwards as those treated after the common method. 
 
 If motion can be paralyzed thus quickly by something 
 acting on the brain, why should there not be a difference 
 in power transferred thence to the muscles ? We will to 
 move our arm, and the motion is performed without our 
 being able to know how it has been done. At times we 
 are aware of having more power than at others, and can- 
 not account for it, unless by crediting the brain with aiig- 
 menting the muscular force. I am so confident that this 
 is the great source of motive force, that I always anxiously 
 look for the signs that make it manifest to the eye. I do 
 not mean to be understood that this lessens the neces- 
 sity for proper conformation, but that it must be united 
 with it to form the truly valuable animal. How will you 
 determine it from the appearance ? is a very j)ertinent ques- 
 tion ; and I am afi'aid I will not be able to answer it as 
 satisfactorily as I could wish. To deduce, from Cranios 
 copy, the peculiarities and qualifications of mankind, has 
 been the pursuit of some of the most gifted of the human 
 family. They have divided and mapped the skull, locat- 
 ing to a specific point what they considered the fountain- 
 head of feeling, taste, and adaptability for certain pur- 
 suits. They base this knowledge upon the examination 
 of the heads of men who have been celebrated or no- 
 torious for the possession of quahties that made them 
 eminent, and, from prominences found more marked than 
 the generality of the family, argTie that this portion of the 
 brain gave such a preponderance. 
 
 I have in this spirit studied the head of the horse, and 
 
EVIDENCE OF LAKGE BRAIN. 395 
 
 without believing a great deal in the science of bumps, am 
 satisfied that close observation will detect this nerve force 
 from the shape of the head, and the expression of the eye 
 and ear. The brain must be large; and, to contain this 
 large brain, the head enveloping it must be large in the 
 cerebral region. A simply large head may not have a great 
 capacity for the brain, on account of the size being lower 
 than where it is situated. Now Lexington has a large 
 head, but its volume is much the greatest at the seat of 
 the brain. I saw him led out of the door of a railway 
 car, and as he protuded Lis muzzle, he had the appearance 
 of a striped squirrel with his pouches full of nuts ; wide 
 between and above the eyes, with a corresponding width 
 at the upper part of the lower jaw, and tapering thence 
 both ways, toward the muzzle, by being scooped out, as if 
 cut with a chisel, and from the jowl and toward the poll, 
 by a gradual drawing in of the lines of curvature, till 
 reaching the ears, which are set not too far apart. The 
 expression of the eye is, if anything, a surer test ; but to 
 describe the pecuharity that betokens a resolute will, is a 
 hard task. A person will acquire the power of seeing it, by 
 frequently examining this organ in horses that he knows 
 are distinguished for unconquerable game. No one, who 
 expects to become a judge of the " good points " of a horse, 
 should neglect any opportunity of perfecting himself in 
 the power to detect the different dispositions from the 
 glance of the eye. The shades of expression are so varied, 
 that, if even I could make myself intelhgible, it would take 
 more time than we can now spare. 
 
 A proper form is usually accompanied with proper 
 action. There are exceptions, however, perhaps arising 
 from local causes, modifying the gait, that should be as 
 unexceptional as the form. From the feet not being looked 
 after when the animal was growing, there may have been 
 a shght bias which cannot be seen, yet still affects the 
 
396 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 action, or the foot has had an irregular bearing from the 
 horn wearing unequally, until the colt has acquired a habit 
 which the correction of the primary cause does not re- 
 move. The natural action, which is susceptible of a far 
 greater change by education than many would think, is 
 nevertheless of the utmost importance. There should be 
 energy in all of the paces, especially the trot. I prefer the 
 action that is termed " round " to the very high, the last 
 better than the dwelling stride that often characterizes 
 the horse that covers a good deal of ground at every step. 
 In an ruitrained horse, more depends on the action of the 
 hind legs than the front ones. Should the hocks be carried 
 the right distance apart, and the hind foot thrown far in 
 advance of where the fore left its impress, I will undertake 
 to leave the supporters to be rolled out of the way, and 
 ultimately make a trotter of the animal that is thus 
 gaited. 
 
 This conversation could be carried to an unreasonable 
 length, expatiating on the best form for a roadster, one 
 that is fitted fi'om his configui'ation to draw a reasonable 
 load fast ; and I have very shghtly touched where much 
 could be said. It may be enough to set the ball m motion 
 in your thoughts, and by comparing the form of the best 
 animals that come under your observation, you vnll gain 
 more knowledge than I could impart in a week's talk. I 
 must warn you of the danger of thinking yourself an adept 
 in selecting a winner from appearance alone, as the best 
 judge of form and condition that ever placed his eye on 
 the outline of a racer, is often at fault, and you might find 
 yourself in the condition of the mechanical genius who 
 was going to discover the Derby winner by mathematical 
 principles, which would be an infallible guide. His money 
 ran out supporting those he considered of the best form, 
 before he became satisfied of the falacy of his test. The 
 levers and pulleys were all right, but he had no rule 
 
LOJTG AISTD SHOET HORSES. 397 
 
 whereby to determine tlie head of steam that was to set 
 them in motion. 
 
 Pupil. — I would hke to hear jour ideas of long and 
 short horses, which has often puzzled me. "While the 
 almost iiniversal idea is, that a horse " as long as a rail " 
 is in the best form, I cannot coincide in . that view, which 
 is perhaps owing to my limited experience. 
 
 Peegeptok. — We have had two striking illustrations, that 
 either form is compatible with a very high rate of speed. 
 Flying Childers and EngHsh Eclipse. To have length of 
 stride, a horse must have length of body or of hind leg. 
 When length of body results from a wide, sloping shoulder, 
 a long hip and full quarters, with the middle piece well 
 made and strong, I would have no objections to a horse 
 that is "very lengthy." Should it arise fi'om a long back 
 and slack loin, he might do to run a short distance, but 
 would never go far, drag or carry much weight. I am 
 better p"'<^ased with a medium length, and when a horse 
 measures as much from the point of the shoulder to the 
 point of buttock, as he does from the ground to the top of 
 his withers, I am satisfied. Should he be one-tenth longer 
 than he is high, with the requisites I have heretofore 
 spoken of, he would still do. These would form the ex- 
 tremes in my judgment, and I would not like a horse to 
 fall on either side of these measurements. It is now time 
 for you to drive the colts. I am anxious to see how they 
 are getting along, as I have been much pleased with their 
 performances heretofore. 
 
 Pupil. — I cannot find fault, as they are all improving ; 
 and I fancy that every time I ask one of them to go fast, 
 he gratifies me by going faster than he has done before. 
 The time has worn away till I will have to hurry them up 
 to be done in time for the evening walk. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — You would be difficult to please if you were 
 not gratified with the promising display your colts make 
 
398 HOESE PORTRAITUKE. 
 
 The work has evidently been suited to their capacity, as 
 they come on to the track as gayly as a fashionable belle 
 makes her advent into a ball- room when she is satisfied 
 she is looldug more than ordinarily v^ell. Colts should 
 always manifest their j)leasure at the prospect of the work 
 that is before them. Once get them so sore that every 
 movement is made with pain, and you have done more 
 injury than months of careful training will repair. There 
 is not the necessity for continued long work with them as 
 there is with older horses. Teach them to trot by giving 
 them short brushes, and never inflicting needless punish- 
 ment because they do not break as well as horses that 
 have been trotted for years, and they wiU repay you by 
 learning with more alacrity, than those that have been 
 drilled till the buoyant feelings of youth are lost. If they 
 trot fast enough to make it hard labor for them, they are 
 much easier to bring into the necessary condition than 
 horses that are matui-ed. As I have heretofore remarked, 
 they have not so much inside fat, and do not require to be 
 " brought as low " as their elders. 
 
 I have often noticed a tendency to overwork those 
 horses that are deficient in bottom — working the length 
 into them, as the trainers say. Overwork a delicate horse, 
 and, my word for it, he will not recuperate in a long time. 
 Colts that are tolerably well bred do not suffer a great 
 deal of fatigue in trotting an ordinary race : therefore the 
 work should not be greater than is adequate to bring them 
 into proper form. We will suppose you have a three-year- 
 old colt that can trot fast for one of his age ; that he has 
 been in regular work for three months, and you expect to 
 trot him in races in a month from this time. We will also 
 imagine that he is a hearty feeder, and predisposed to 
 take on flesh without any curtailment of his work. This 
 would necessiate sweating. It is evident that the pohcy 
 would be wrong that would follow the same plan that is 
 
WOEKING COLTS. 399 
 
 required by an older horse : therefore the sweats should not 
 be so frequent or so severe. Should he show symptoms of 
 his wind not being clear, we would have to increase the 
 sweats, not in severity, but by giving them oftener ; and as 
 soon as we found that the respiratory organs were not 
 impeded, it would be evident that we had gone far enough, 
 if even he did look too lusty. We shotild season the flesh 
 on him with exercise without clothing, and there would be 
 very Httle danger of legweariness when the lungs performed 
 their part of the labor aright. Should he prove deficient 
 in endurance, there would not be any benefit derived from 
 trying to work him enough to remedy this defect, and ii 
 would be better to wait, hoping that another year oi 
 two's growth, would make him stouter, than to run the 
 risk of doing permanent injury. A colt must have con- 
 dition, though it is acquired with less fast work than is 
 generally thought necessary. 
 
 The little beauty Delle is going to make a trotter as 
 sure as you wait for her. " Time and patience " are what 
 make the trotter of the most ^^romising, and very few 
 arrive at a fast gait till they have been subjected to care- 
 ful, long-continued handling. Oriole is also doing well, 
 and as she learns to bend her knees, she improves in other 
 respects. I have not seen you drive May yet. 
 
 Pupil. — I have promoted May into the fast division, and 
 work her with the trotters in the morning. To-morrow I 
 think I will convince you she rightfully belongs to that 
 class. 
 
CHAPTEE XXVII. 
 
 DKEBSING CKACKED HEELS — EXEECISING FALCON — DKIVrNG 
 
 NEVER MIND — DRIVING JANE — THE STRIDE OF HORSES — 
 
 POSITION OP FEET IN A TROT AND GALLOP — 
 
 SKILL IN DRIVING. 
 
 Preceptor. — The sun's ra,ys have hung diamonds on 
 every bush and flower, transforming the dewdrops into 
 jewels outshining those in a queen's diadam. I have always 
 fancied that there is a sanitive property in the morning 
 dew, and that when a horse's feet are feverish, or the horn 
 brittle, a walk in the "dew-bespangled" grass would be of 
 benefit. I do not know that this distilled moisture is dif- 
 ferent from that taken from the cistern, and put in the foot 
 tub; and perhaps the idea that it penetrates the foot more 
 quickly is only a fanciful notion. I am not much in favor 
 of these greasy applications called hoof ointments, and 
 think that water is superior to all the compounds that are 
 daubed on the horn. Neither do I beheve in the many 
 soakings that some give; the application of water sufficient 
 to keep it clean is generally all that is needed for a healthy 
 foot. Should a horse's heels be inclined to crack, the 
 practice of walking him where the dew will dampen that 
 part of the foot, is bad. For cracked heels, glycerine is the 
 best application with which I am acquainted, and if a 
 little of it is applied when they first begin to open, it will 
 effect a cui-e, unless the evil arise from a morbid habit 
 occasioned by bad health. Much washing of the legs is 
 prejudicial, by inclining the heels to open, though the use 
 
DRIVING FALCON. 401 
 
 of bandages will lessen the liability. Glycerine will in- 
 corporate witb water, and wben I want the bandages to 
 remain damp as long as possible, I always mix it witb the 
 water I wet them with. I have had horses that could 
 hardly be worked fast without cracks opening in the heels, 
 till at times the blood would issue. Since using this, 
 I have been successful in curing them by washing the legs 
 with warm water, letting them absorb what moisture could 
 be readily taken up with the sponge, applying plenty of 
 glycerine, and placing a loose bandage fi'om the hoof to 
 the knee. The skin by this treatment acquires more sup- 
 pleness, which renders it less likely to crack. The band- 
 ages must envelop the foot so as to exclude the air, and 
 the folds be numerous though loose. 
 
 I see you have the harness on the Falcon, so I suppose 
 he is the first one to be exercised; and as they are harrow- 
 ing the track, it will be as well not to drive Never Mind 
 until you can give him his work on the soft jJortion. The 
 Falcon you can jog three miles the reverse way of the 
 track. When you turn him, increase his speed to a three- 
 minute gait, driving him as fast as you can on the back 
 stretch, come round the turn easier, gradually increasing 
 the rate tiU half way down the stretch, when you can send 
 him along till you get by the stand. Keep up as fast a 
 gait for the next mile as you can drive him without break- 
 ing, and this time he can come the whole length of the 
 stretch as fast as he can go, hurrying him till he breaks ; 
 half way round the turn take him up, turn him around, 
 and go the reverse way of the track a three-and-a-half gait, 
 when you can bring him to the barn. 
 
 That was very well done. Give him a swallow or two of 
 water to rinse out his mouth, scrape him, rub out his poU, 
 straighten his hair, throw a long blanket on him, and 
 walk him tiU he is cool. You can continue to give him 
 the same amount of work you did this morning twice a 
 
402 HOKSB POETEAITUEE. 
 
 week. The mornings that you do not give this work, he 
 can be driven on the road, or slowly on the track, for six 
 or eight miles. In place of the second sweat j^ou can 
 work him now with the long hood on, and after the 
 first mile has been done fast, take him out of the shafts, 
 scrape him, walk fifteen minutes, and repeat with a two- 
 mile drive. In preparing him for this move, give him 
 half his usual feed at night, half his water with a small 
 lock of hay, put on the muzzle, and only give a quart of 
 gTain in the morning. In place of the mash the preced- 
 ing night, feed it after he has been done up, in lieu of the 
 grain that this feed would have consisted of. Should we 
 trot him in a race a month from now — and I think that 
 will be good polic}', for he is recovering from his breaks 
 admirably, and if he does not find company that is a good 
 deal too fast for him, he will stand a good chance to win 
 — the race will do in place of a sweat, and, as I said be- 
 fore, there is no such school for teaching a horse to trot 
 in races, as races themselves. If a trainer even thinks the 
 work of a three in five race is Just what a horse needs to 
 bring him to the mark, he would hesitate very much to 
 give it, unless in the actual combat. How many "green 
 horses" have we seen fail to make good the promise their 
 private trials led one to expect ! The race was new ground, 
 and the driver found it out of his power to get them 
 within several seconds as fast as he had often shown them 
 before, with apparent ease. So I always like to make my 
 horses familiar with the place that is going to be the 
 arena where they must display their powers, and if I have 
 a " dark " horse, that I do not want the public to get a line 
 that will be a guide to his capabilities, I tiy to manage 
 that it shall not be apparent. It is quite as well to win a 
 .race by one length as fifty, and people are generally more 
 afraid of a horse that they have never seen go, than one 
 which they have seen win. It is certainly proper that the 
 
PREPAEIKG FOR THE RAGE 403 
 
 owner of a horse should take pains that his rate is not 
 known sooner than will be of advantage to himself. The 
 public have a claim that must be allowed, viz. : — that a 
 horse must win if he can. Further than this they have 
 none; and if a trainer is foolish enough to tell Tom, Dick, 
 and Harry of some wonderful trial his horse has made, 
 he must not be surprised if they have forestalled him in 
 the market, and he can only get his money on at unfavor- 
 able odds, njade so by his own lack of judgment. This is 
 not all. Shoidd the horse be unable to come up to the 
 private performance, and be beaten, the driver is stig- 
 matized as a villain who has induced betting for his own 
 profit, or has prevented the horse from winning when he 
 coidd. 
 
 To have the Falcon in order for the race we contem- 
 plate putting him in, it will not be necessary, or even 
 advantageous, to strain him up very high. He would trot 
 to-day mile heats with ease to himself. As he increases 
 his speed, which he will be more apt to do under medium 
 than heavy work, he will require better condition. When 
 giving him the move I mentioned, with the hood on, it 
 will be well enough to time him, and five or six days be- 
 fore the race, we can give him a trial of a mile and repeat, 
 which will be some guide to what he can do. After this 
 trial we will "fog him out" by giving a very light sweat 
 under clothes. A half-mile brush the morning after this 
 sweat, and plenty of slow work, will be all that is neces- 
 sary, in my opinion, to have him trot in proper form. 
 
 Never Mind will be benefited by keeping up the sweats 
 in the same manner as you have been giving them — though 
 you must remove the clothing from his loin and quarters 
 — of course increasing the speed as you drive him. In 
 the meantime, you can jog him on the harrowed part of 
 the track, and have the soil loosened whenever it becomes 
 the least hard. We will also have to give him a trial. 
 
404 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 whicli will be on the same day as that of the Falcon. 
 Give him the last sweat three or four days before the time 
 of the trial, preparing both of the horses as much as you 
 would for a race. When you speed him, observe due 
 caution, in recovering him from a break, not to increase 
 his tendency to get on his quarters. Grive him his head, 
 and after a jump or two, if he does not catch of his own 
 accord, shake him a little by moving the bit thi'ough hip 
 mouth, giving one rein a slight twich, very tepderly, how- 
 ever, " as though the reins were made of a single thread 
 of silk," which would be broken with a rude pull. If he 
 still runs, pull him directly back, now using a strong 
 hand, — but let this be the last resort. We must have a 
 horse to gallop with the horses in their work, and I know 
 of one that will suit you exactly. I will send him up to- 
 morrow, and, though he has had a good deal of exercise 
 lately, it has not been sufficient to give him condition 
 enough to stand the battering. By the time we make the 
 trial, you can have him in good order to endure going the 
 second mile with ease. It will be as well to have him 
 galloped when you are driving. Instruct the boy that 
 rides him not to lie alongside of you all the while, but 
 vary his position — sometimes head and head, again a few 
 lengths in advance, and j)art of the time a short distance 
 in the rear. 
 
 Now for Miss Jane. As the harrowing is finished, you 
 can jog her on the soft ground. You will be the best 
 judge of how much slow work to give her, knowing what 
 you have accustomed her to, and can give a shi-ewd gues? 
 how she will behave before you start her at speed. 
 
 Pupil. — You must not get weary waiting, as I will jog 
 her very slowly for a time. Con is coming out with water 
 sponge, clothes, &e. I thought it best to put her before 
 the wagon for this her first effort at a real fast gait. I 
 want you to time her down the back side, as I am going 
 
DRIVING JAKE. 405 
 
 to drive her there as fast as I can ; I will signify my in- 
 tention of the time T intend to drive when I come by you. 
 
 Peeceptok. — I would advise you to keep her a little 
 within her rate, unless you find that she is working very 
 kindly, when you can venture to push her as fast as you 
 can. Should she break, handle her very gently. Bravely 
 done ! She is tremendous in her stride, and if I had not 
 had the watch in my hand, I would have gxeatly underrated 
 her. She went down the stretch in thirty-eight seconds, 
 when I did not think she was going any inside of a forty 
 gait. While Con is walking her, we will go across and 
 try to find the length of her stride. I have a tape hne, as 
 pacing is only a rough way of guessing, at the best. 
 
 Pupil. — I am glad she pleased you, and she certainly 
 went better than I expected. She went very evenly, and 
 luckily did not break until I got by the half-mile pole. I 
 had been urging her for the last hundi'ed yards, and when 
 she did leave her feet, she lost a good deal of time, though 
 she was not excited, and did not try to run, 
 
 Peeceptok. — Here are strides that are very distinct — 
 nineteen feet to a hundred-pound wagon is some stretch- 
 ing. Take notice how near they are of a length, not six 
 inches variation among^ them all; and there is another 
 thing I like to see, the regularity in the spaces between 
 each footprint. This is enough to convince any one that 
 the body of the trotter is in the air part of the time, as 
 the eighteen-hand Magog could not be stretched a great 
 deal over half the distance. 
 
 PuprL. — The stretching would require an India-rubber 
 quadruped, or to be something like the harness I heard 
 an old man tell about : he was taking the tanner to task 
 for not making better leather, and to illustrate it, said, 
 that he made a pair of traces of the last side he had 
 tanned, and on a wet, thawing day he went to the woods 
 a quarter of a mile distant to haul up a log. He hitched 
 
 18 
 
406 HOKSE POETEAITURE. 
 
 to a smooth beech — not a very heavy draught — and started 
 home, leading the horse by the halter. On arriving at the 
 house he was astonished to see nothing of the log or 
 whiffletree ; but the traces were like the " linked sweet- 
 ness long drawn out" he had heard of, as they were 
 barely visible. As it was nearly night and the chores had 
 to be done, he had not time to investigate the cause then ; 
 so he threw the hames over a hitching post, that stood 
 near the woodyard, to hang for the night. A frost came 
 and checked the rivulets that ran through each ravine, 
 giving promise of being a "good sap day," when the 
 sugar maples would yield a copious flow. He got up early 
 to go to the " bush," when, upon opening the door, he was 
 siu'prised to see that the log was there. The frost had 
 dried the leather, and the contraction drew the log fi-om 
 the woods. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — A very good Munchausen, and not a whit 
 Kiore wonderful than some stories that are told about 
 horses. Though Jane's gait is very long and open, I do 
 not think it will be advisable to take any means to shorten 
 it, as she does not dwell or point when going fast. I have 
 Keen horses that had a very long stride that could not 
 trot fast, as the time it took them to " gather " more than 
 counterbalanced the advantage of covering a good deal of 
 ground. Horses of this kind often go a great deal faster 
 by inducing a shorter stride, and more rapid action. 
 When an animal has both, he must be fast ; and though 
 generally not as caj)able of going as well before heavy 
 weight, or through deep gTouad, I have known some 
 notable exceptions to this rule, that could do both as well 
 as any short or moderate gaited horse I ever knew. I 
 always fancied that long striders could carry more flesh 
 than if they did not step so far, and always aim to have 
 them feeling as weU as a due amount of work wiU permit. 
 
clipper's legs. 407 
 
 They must have condition, as when tired there is a greater 
 falling off in their speed than there is in the short stepper. 
 
 You had better get into the wagon and jog Jane slowly 
 a couple of miles before you bring her to the barn. As to 
 her future work, I see no reason for mating any other 
 changes than that of requiring her to go, once or twice a 
 week, as fast as she is capable of. The brushes will have 
 to be lengthened as you progress in her training, and you 
 will be the best judge of how much slow work she will 
 need. I think in her sweats it will be well enough only 
 to wrap her neck and chest. When the inside fat is ab- 
 sorbed, and the action of her heart and lungs is satisfac- 
 tory, it wUl be needless to reduce her further. When her 
 temper becomes tranquilized, so that we can rely on her 
 performing in a race as well as she does in her exercise, it 
 will certainly take a very good horse to beat her. For 
 should she come well in hand to the entrance of the home 
 stretch, a length or two behind most horses, she would 
 make it very hot for them from that point to the stand. 
 While you are jogging Never Mind, I will watch Clipper 
 walking, and give his legs a close examination. 
 
 Pupil. — Never Mind is much pleased with the soft track, 
 and I could not detect any soreness in the foot. I drove 
 him five mUes, thinking that distance, on the mellow 
 ground, was enough. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — That was sufficient. You can now harness 
 the grey, and, as I am anxious to soe him move, you can 
 give him a short brush, just long enough to show me his 
 manner of going. I am very much afraid he vnll have to 
 be laid up, as his legs have not the appearance I would 
 like to see, and it will be better policy to stop his work 
 than to endanger spoiling them entirely. I am satisfied 
 that the iron, accompanied with proper care the ensuing 
 winter, will result in a permanent cure. The next two or 
 three weeks will be apt to show whether his legs will 
 
408 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 stand or not. If you see any symptoms of their getting 
 worse, particularly if the back tendon becomes bowed, 
 throw him up at once, soak his legs in bran tea, take his 
 feed away gradually, and let him graze an hour every day. 
 In sweating him day after to-morrow, do not drive any 
 fui'ther after the hair has become moistened, reljdng on 
 the additional clothing to give a free flow of perspiration. 
 
 Pupil. — Shall I speed him on the outside of the track ? 
 Would not that be safer for him to go fast on, as well as 
 slow? 
 
 Pkeceptok. — It would : though, as I want to see how 
 he handles himself, you can pull him to the inside when 
 ready to let him speed. A hundred yards will be far 
 enough. It is as I expected. His way of going is very 
 severe on the legs. He also strides long, and as his action 
 is very high, he necessarily throws a heavier weight on 
 them than if he went lower. We will have liim shod with 
 very light shoes, to lessen, as much as we can, this super- 
 abundant action of the knee. You had better work him 
 entirely on the outside of the track, varying that with 
 plenty of road work, selecting the sandy one that leads to 
 the cove. His speed has not been overrated, as he cer- 
 tainly went very fast in the short brush. What a pity 
 that he has not such Hmbs as the Falcon and his colts 
 have! To undergo the batteiing the hard tracks give, 
 those iron, tendinous ones are the sort. I have heard 
 people argue that large bone is a sine qua non in a trotter. 
 Now, Chpper has bone enough, but there is not correspond- 
 ing development of tendon. Nine horses in ten that give 
 way in their legs have bone enough, but the tendons are 
 small. 
 
 Pupn,. — In a conversation we held some time ago, you 
 told me how a horse trotted and ran — that is, how the 
 legs were moved at these gaits. I have known a man 
 claim that a trotter requii-ed more strength in the fore 
 
POSITION OF THE FEET. 409 
 
 legs than a race horse, as one hmb did the work of two. 
 It strikes me that his knowledge of movement was very 
 limited, as I am sure the fast gallop is much more trying 
 than the fast trot. 
 
 Peeceptob. — There can be no question of that. The 
 gTeater the velocity of the body, the greater the force with 
 which it comes to the gTOund. And not to spend time in 
 argument, I can adduce an illustration that will prove it. 
 Drive a fast trotter on ground that will just receive the 
 impress of the shoe, so that the frog touches the ground. 
 Run a horse over the same, and he will sink much deeper, 
 running in training-shoes similar to those worn by the 
 trotter. I have also heard men state that the fore feet of 
 the race horse struck the earth at the same instant, and 
 that the hind legs followed the same ride. Such ignorance 
 shows a want of common observation, as any person with 
 his eyes shut, and merely hstening to a horse galloping 
 past, ought to know better. The foot-prints will show 
 the mariner in which a horse runs, more clearly than they 
 do in a fast trot. For instance, the " tracks " are in this 
 form when a horse runs : — 
 
 They vary more in the trot, some horses placing the hind 
 foot more in advance of where the fore foot stood, than 
 others, thus : — 
 
 xxxxxxxxxx 
 Fore. Hind. Fore. Hind. Fore. Fore. Hind. Fore. Hind. Fore. 
 
 The bound is very clearly seen in the shoe marks of the 
 race horse, though it is not so apparent in those of the 
 
410 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 trotter. That there is a time when the body is j^ropelled 
 through the air, is manifest from the length of the strides 
 that Jane made. The tape line showed nineteen feet ; 
 extend her feet as far as it is possible, and you will per- 
 ceive that ten feet is beyond her capacity of reaching, so 
 that the extra nine feet is made by the body being hurled 
 along, before it is again supported by the feet touching 
 tlie ground. The length of the stride is from where the 
 foot leaves the gi'ound, to where it first strikes it again. 
 There are four spaces between these two marks. In the 
 trotter they are nearly of a uniform length, while in the 
 race horse, three of these spaces are about equal, while 
 the fourth is as long as all the others. Of course this 
 proportion is regulated by the distance of the stride, there 
 being a great disparity in this particular among race 
 horses. I must acknowledge my partiahty for a horse 
 that is a long strider, over a short one, for either running 
 or trotting, as I think the long striders are generally the 
 fastest, and I have known many horses celebrated for 
 their endurance that " covered a deal of ground." It is 
 rare to find this quahfication, unless a horse has the 
 oblique shoulder-blade, a point which every judge of a 
 horse's form considers of the greatest importance. 
 
 While talking of the foot-prints, I will mention a custom 
 which I always follow, when training horses and making 
 myself acquainted with their length of stride, and I often 
 find it useful as a guide to show the reasons why they are 
 not trotting as well as common. For instance, we give 
 Never Mind a trial, and he trots a quarter of a mile in 
 thirty-sis seconds. He is working and feeling well. 
 We measure the strides for a hundred yards, and find that 
 they average seventeen feet, with very little difference in 
 the length of any of them. At a subsequent period we 
 speed liim the same distance, and find that he has been 
 two seconds longer in accomplishing it. The tape line 
 
ADVAlirTAGE OF MEASURIN"G STRIDES. 411 
 
 shows there has been a falling off of a foot in the distance 
 coYered, and this would show that there has been no 
 diminution in his action, as it is fully accounted for in the 
 discrepancy in the stride. We examine his feet, to see if 
 it is pain there, which has made him fearful of extending 
 them, and if we cannot discover any tangible reason, the 
 foot tub is called into requisition, he is driven on soft 
 ground, with other precautions, that we deem necessary, 
 to remove the difficulty. On the other hand, should the 
 stride prove to be as long as formerly, it will be evident 
 that he must have lost some of his quickness of action. 
 Now there are various causes that may have affected him 
 in this particular. Soreness of the muscles, interfering 
 with the celerity of their action ; weakness fi'om over- 
 sweating, or an insufficiency of feed — though this would 
 be more apparent in a longer trial ; too much slow, long- 
 continued jogging, or the carrying the walks to an extreme, 
 making him dull, and without the proper animation to 
 take delight, as he should, in bursting off" for the brush. 
 Should there have been a change in the shoeing, that 
 might occasion it — and I never have a different shoe 
 placed on a horse, without scrutinizing closely the effect it 
 has on the stride. It may seem a trivial matter to follow 
 a horse with a tape hne, and note the slightest variation 
 in his stride ; but I have been benefited greatly by this 
 plan, and I know that you will oftentimes be able to find 
 out the reasons for a falHng off in speed, that would have 
 troubled you without this assistance. 
 
 I want to see May perform, and hope she will verify 
 your assertion that she is entitled to a place among the 
 trotters. That she will eventually be a good one, I have 
 no doubt, though I did not look for as rapid improvement 
 as you mention. 
 
 Pupil. — ^I may have been deceived, by the rapid change, 
 into placing too high an estimate on her powers ; still I 
 
4:12 HOESE POETEAITUKE. 
 
 feel confident that it will not be long ere she will make 
 the older ones " do all they know how," to beat her. I 
 have not driven her at her fastest gait around the turns 
 yetj but will now drive her a mile, and let the watch tell 
 the story. 
 
 Pkeceptok. — Hurrah! 2:41, and she was 1:23 in doing 
 the first half. There is no further difficulty of making a 
 trotter of her, as with proper handling, I do not think she 
 wiU relapse into her former sideling motion. That is the 
 only thing to fear, and every precaution must be taken to 
 guard against it. It will be tis well to confine her fastest 
 work for a while to the straight sides, teaching her to go 
 on the turns by degTees, and always letting her wear the 
 roll to protect the i^astem. An unlucky blow, by wounding 
 that, would be very detrimental, as hkely to re-awaken the 
 fear she formerly had of injuring it, and destroy the con- 
 fidence she has acquired. I hke to have horses capable 
 of going fast on any part on the track — especially the latter 
 end. The advantages are too apparent to need comment. 
 This requu-es practicing a rapid gait on the semicircles, 
 as well as on the parallel lines, to accustom a horse to go 
 with freedom when " rounding a turn." It will be as well 
 not to hurry May in this part of her education, for if we 
 succeed in cui'ing her by taking the whole season, we will 
 be well repaid for the time occupied. Her neck and 
 shoulders will only need "scraping," enveloping them in a 
 wrapper and long hood, though I would not recommend 
 clothing her farther back than a few inches behind the 
 girth. May is a very handy breaker, so that we can look 
 for her to be a " good moneyed horse" — a safe one to do 
 in a race all she promises in her trials. 
 
 I cannot see that you need much further instruction, 
 and now that you have had a lesson in the danger of allow- 
 ing a horse to wear a shoe that will be likely to do injury, 
 should he "grab," you will not need cautioning on that 
 
DRIVING. 413 
 
 score. You will also be likely to remember the danger 
 there is in snatching a horse sharply, should he break, as 
 more serious results may follow than cutting the quarters. 
 Injury to the knee is frequently the consequence, while 
 the animal may be hurt permanently by a strain of the 
 shoulder or loin. Thei'e is nothing gained by this proceed- 
 ure, as I never knew a horse that would not ultimately be 
 a better breaker, and lose less ground, when the gentler 
 plan has been followed. If a person has so little physical 
 strength that he is afraid of not being able to manage a 
 horse, unless he jerks him at the instant he leaves his feet, 
 he must use some of the safety appliances, which will give 
 him the requisite nerve. But the most successful means 
 of managing a refractory horse is not by main strength; 
 address, or skill, as we may term it, being far more ef- 
 fective. 
 
 One of the very best drivers I ever saw has not more 
 strength than a hearty twelve-year-old boy. He never uses 
 hand pieces, or any aid of that kind, depending entirely 
 on skillful management, which I never knew to fail him at 
 any time. If a horse is determined to run away, and is 
 accustomed to do so whenever he tries, pulling will not 
 stop him. The best way, then, is to retain your self- 
 possession, when you will be able to guide him, and keep 
 him running where the ground is the safest. If you have 
 a horse that you feel confident will stop whenever you tell 
 him, and go wherever you direct, you are not alarmed if 
 he does run. It is not the sj)eed, then, that is so frightful, 
 but the consciousness that you are carried along against 
 your will. It is a good many chances to one, that, when 
 the horse finds you ai-e not pulling at him, but, if anything, 
 lu-ging him on, and if he is not heeding the suggestions of 
 the bit in going the way you direct, adding to its admoni- 
 tions a severe reminder with the whip, — he will not find so 
 much pleasure in the effort, and be as ready to stop as you 
 
 18* 
 
414 HOKSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 are to have liim. This, of course, has reference to horsea 
 that run away fi'om willfuhiesSj and not under the sudden 
 impulse of fright. As you have now finished your morn- 
 ing's worlv I will leave you, and I do not think it will be 
 necessary for me to come again, until the time fixed for 
 the trials. If there is anything you want to know, that I 
 have omitted in my directions, you can subject me to any 
 queries you see fit. 
 
 Pupil. — The bump of self-esteem must be a prominent 
 elevation on my head, as I feel very capable of carrying 
 the horses along. The success I have had, so far, I do not 
 ascribe to fortuitous circumstances, but to the result of 
 3^oui- teachings, as I should have been sadly at a loss to 
 know what to do in several instances. Your directions 
 have been so minute, that my memory and comprehension 
 would have to be very poor, if they did not serve to guide 
 me for the time you will be gone. I can assure you that 
 I will not fall into the same error again I did with Never 
 Mind, in either mistaking overwork for rankness, or in 
 twitching him on to his quarters. To fit the horses for 
 the races in four weeks, it will be necessary that their 
 work should gradually approach that which it will be in the 
 race, and with all my assurance, I am not so certain that 
 I will be able to hit the happy medium, and give them 
 neither too little nor too much work. 
 
 Peeceptor. — You had better keep on the safe side, and 
 have the work rather under what you consider the full 
 amount they can bear with advantage. While there has 
 to be plenty of work given to bring a horse into condition, 
 an over-supply is worse than not having him quite up to 
 the mark in opening a campaign. In fact, I prefer that 
 a horse should not be in the form of doing all he is caj^able 
 of in his first races, but in that condition that will be 
 benefited by the work he gets in them, and so keep up a 
 steady rate of improvement, until the season is at an end. 
 
GETTING COISTDITION" IN RACES. 415 
 
 I dislike very much, for a horse to become stale, before he 
 has trotted half the races we have marked for him to per- 
 form in, and it is better policy not to try to bring him to 
 an "edge" at the start, as I am fearful that, after the first 
 few contests, it would become nicked and broken, from 
 our not having taken time enough to temper the blade so 
 as to hold it. The celebrated trainer, Arthur Taylor, in 
 the commencement of a campaign, had his horses looking 
 big and bulky, and one of the shrewdest managers on the 
 English turf, Thomas Parr, said that he found it the 
 cheapest plan to sweat his horse in public, meaning that 
 he preferred they should run themselves into condition in 
 actual races, rather than by galloping on the downs. 
 Should the weather not be favorable to give the trials at 
 the time we intend, and the track not be in shape to work 
 on, you will have to go on the road, as it will not do to 
 fail exercising those we trot in the races. If you should 
 hapjaen to need advice or assistance from me, send one of 
 the boys down, and I will come forthwith. 
 
CHAPTEE XXYIII. 
 
 TRIALS — PKEPARATIONS FOR THEM — TRIAL OF THE FALCON— 
 OF NEVER MIND. 
 
 Preceptor. — You will perceive I have come in time tliis 
 morning, and have been well repaid for my break-of-day 
 drive by the beauty of this bright opening of the dawn. 
 You have been giving fervid descriptions of your Western 
 scenery, and the dry air that enabled you to see distinctly 
 at distances that would require the aid of a telescope in a 
 less favored chme; but I think you will have to aknowledge 
 *hat even the grand prairie was never enveloped in a 
 purer, more odoriferous, ambient ma.ntle than this. Your 
 '.^'hicago friend would be troubled to find any of those 
 deleterious vapors, that he thinks are always brooding on 
 '"-he ocean's shore, and if his eye is as quick for detecting 
 teauty, as his palate is nice in discovering the exquisite 
 flavor of wines, as shown by his selection, he would be 
 greatly delighted at the prospect presented this morning. 
 Look at the sun rising from its waveless bed, making a 
 glowing pathway, a flooring of radiance glorious in its 
 brightness ! The vessels in the offing, which a few minutes 
 ago only caught the refulgence in their topmast sails, now 
 stand out in full relief, a pyramid of whiteness, contrasting 
 finely with the black pennon streaming from the passing 
 steamer. Notice the steamer that is lying by — how the 
 smoke rises in a grand column, with a capital more grace- 
 ful in its curves than the fluted, acanthus-leaved glory 
 that crowns the elegant Corinthian shaft ! And when we 
 
COKDITION OF TRACK. 417 
 
 come to the foreground of this inimitable picture, what 
 perfect keeping there is in the " filling up !" The field of 
 tasseling corn on our left seems a continuation of the 
 coppice beyond it, the broad luxuriant leaves deflecting 
 from the stalk, and falling back in curves superior to Ho- 
 garth's line of beauty, and giving an Oriental appearance 
 to the view, heightened by the group of sumachs, with 
 their palm-like leaves and scarlet cones. That field of 
 ripening grain appears as if it had retained the yellow 
 sunbeams in which it has been bathed, while the air is 
 filled with the perfume of the woodbines and honeysuckles 
 that drape the cottage porch, and hang in festoons about 
 the windows. The morning is as favorable as we could have 
 for horses to go fast; and if the track is in corresponding 
 condition, the time made will not be a safe criterion to 
 guide us, in estimating the ability of the horses to perform, 
 when things are not so favorable. 
 
 Pupil. — The track is good, though not so fast as it might 
 be, as I have had the whole of it harrowed — the inside 
 very lightly — thinking it would be better for the trotters, 
 and I could not bear to see the horse you sent up gallop- 
 ing on ground that had no loose dirt to deaden the con- 
 cussion. 
 
 Preceptor. — You have made a hit in preparing it, as I 
 am very partial to a thin coating of loose earth, even for 
 trotting purposes ; and though it is undoubtedly slower than 
 a smooth, hard surface, it is fast enough — faster than 
 many would think who had not tried a horse on a similiar 
 course. There is just the right amount of soil to fill the 
 inner part of the foot, forming a sort of a cushion, which 
 vdll take a gi-eat deal of the jar off, and a horse v/ill there- 
 fore extend himself fi-eely, gaining in that way nearly as 
 much as he looses by the added draught of the wheels 
 running over a yielding surface. It will be as well that 
 the horses have a short walk before driving, and have a 
 
418 HOESE POKTEAITURB. 
 
 mash made for the feed at ten o'clock for each of them. 
 Unless they are costive, this mash can be made of the 
 hominy and oats, and a small projjortion of bran. The 
 water must be boiling, and the vessel that is used to make 
 it in must be covered, so that there will be no escape of 
 steam. 
 
 Pupil. — In preparing these horses for the trial, I did not 
 give them more than three-quarters of their usual feed of 
 grain, last night half their water, and about a quarter of 
 the hay they commonly receive. This morning I have only 
 given them a quart of grain apiece, and a very few swallows 
 of water. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — I think the amount you have named may 
 not do any injury, though I would not have fed them as 
 much. I am not in favor of " drawing a horse " as closely 
 as many do, who, I think, err in making their restrictions 
 too severe. There is a point to be reached in this pre- 
 paration which it should be our aim to observe, viz : that 
 the stomach should not be encumbered, and yet the 
 nourishment afforded by the food be sufficient to carry a 
 horse tlirough a race, in which he would " weaken" unless 
 the supj)ly was adequate to meet the demands. Many 
 interesting experiments have been made in France to 
 determine the time it takes for a horse to digest his food, 
 and also the effects of exertion in hastening the process. 
 I do not remember them distinctly enough to quote what 
 the results were; but this I do recollect, that digestion is 
 nearly passive when the animal is in repose, is much 
 hastened with moderate exercise, and suspended when 
 violent exertion takes place. In three or four hours, under 
 the most favorable cii-cum stances, the food is assim- 
 ilated. Now, last night's feed would only have undergone 
 a partial change before the action of the stomach was 
 suspended by the animal sleeping, and whatever was given 
 this morning, cannot help encumbering the stomach, at 
 
CAUTEEIZIIfG. 419 
 
 the time we want him to exert himself. The walk will 
 assist in relieving the horses, and we will postpone the 
 work till after breakfast, which will be a further help. 
 Actual trial is worth far ixore than theory; and making 
 yourself acquainted with the wants of each horse in this 
 particular, by repeated experiments, is altogether the best 
 method. Horses differ, and while one may require the cur- 
 tailment in his food and drink to be rigid, others will per- 
 form better, by never being forced to wear the muzzle, and 
 only shortened in the meals that immediately precede the 
 race. I have heard a story that an EngHshman always 
 fights the best after a good dinner, an Irishman when he 
 has had a sup of whiskey, and your countryman, the Scotch- 
 man, when fasting. I presume that this is only a conceit, 
 though it is applicable to the equine familj'^, as I have 
 known different horses that required, one of them the 
 stimulus of the whip and spur; another, the support of the 
 most nutritious food; and the third would do better when 
 drawn till his shape resembled that of a greyhound when 
 in order to run a course. There will be time for you to 
 jog Clipper before we are summoned to the steak and 
 coffee. 
 
 Pupil. — I have observed, when I have been driving him 
 lately, that he has gone with a little halt in his gait, and 
 am fearful that the only cure for him will be the actual 
 cautery, which you have advised as a last resort. 
 
 Preceptor. — You need not exercise him, as I can see 
 that the near fore leg gives evident symptoms of not being 
 capable of standing the work. You v^dll see that the out- 
 line of the back tendon is not straight as it should be, but 
 is cui'ved outward ; and I never knew one in that shajje, 
 if the work was persisted in, that did not ultimately break 
 down. Cauterizing has, as Mr. Percival says, restored 
 many when in this condition, and given them renewed 
 strength to perform nearly as well as they did formerly. 
 
420 HORSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 I know a veterinarian that greatly excels in performing 
 tliis very painful operation. I have seen legs that he has 
 tired from the knee to the coronet, when the marks of the 
 firing iron have been hardly discoverable, and yet the 
 effect has been equally as good as in those cases disfigured 
 with ugly scars and rigid callouses. By the way, how do 
 the horses Hke the company of the galloj)ing fellow ? 
 
 Pupil. — I cannot say whether they consider the acquisi- 
 tion of his company pleasru'able or not. The Falcon does 
 not pay much attention to him any more, if he -wiVL only 
 stay behind ; but the moment he takes the lead, he will 
 exert every nerve to overtake him, and never gives up try- 
 ing as long as the runner is in advance. I know, as well as 
 if he could tell me in words, what he thinks, and there is no 
 doubt, in my mind, that his cogitations are, if we would 
 only put a saddle on him, there is not a man about the 
 place that he could not carry, and beat that short-gaited 
 fellow, that thought it quite a trick to run ahead of a 
 horse, encumbered with wheels and forced to keep a gait 
 immeasureably slower than his natural one. Never Mind, 
 when the horse laps him, will fairly fly, and keeps him to 
 a good racing pace for a coiiple of hundred yards, al- 
 though, when he gets a few lengths clear in the lead, he 
 loses heart, and if still pushed, does not go with the 
 animation that characterizes his efforts when he thinks 
 he is beating him. Jane surprised me with the quietness 
 which she displays in his company, and will accommodate 
 her pace to the one the runner goes at, and is prompted 
 more by the command of her driver to go faster, than she 
 is by the desire to leave him. May is hke her sire, and 
 cannot bear to be stopped while he is yet ahead. Delle I 
 only tried once, and she was so much excited that I did 
 not repeat the experiment. 
 
 Preceptor. — The probable reason for Jane's immobility 
 is that she never yet has been in a race ; and the sole cause 
 
THE COMPETITORS IK THE RACE. 421 
 
 for her former excitement was the drunken driver's lash. 
 I had misgi\dngs that Never Mind, would, act in the man- 
 ner you describe, from the narrowness of the skull between 
 and above the eyes, showing the want of the moral force, 
 which, if he possessed, would make him the equal of the 
 very best. Better condition will aid him, and I am in 
 hopes that the work of to-day, and of those intervening, 
 will give him heart enough to win the race we have him 
 entered for. The horses in it are not so fast as he is, or 
 rather those that are known, there being two dark ones 
 that report mentions as having performed wonderfully in 
 some Utopian country, the location of which has not yet 
 been found out. To contend against the Falcon are horses 
 which have gone faster in public than any time we can 
 expect him to make yet; but as it is the only place to put 
 him in, to give him a chance to receive the benefits of a 
 race, he may as well begin there as anywhere else. For 
 all this, I would rather take odds against him than lay 
 them on Never Mind. Both of these races, coming on 
 the same day, will give you and the boys plenty of work; 
 yet, with the help you have, all the attention necessary for 
 the horses can be awarded them. My morning ride has 
 given me a sharp appetite, and I am not sorry to hear the 
 signal that summons us to prepare for breakfast. 
 
 PuprL. — I suppose it is useless to offer you anything to 
 drink, and I do so more as a matter of form, than from 
 any expectation that you will accept it. 
 
 Preceptok. — Thanking you for the kindness, I must 
 reiterate that I never drink for form's sake, and when I 
 do indulge, it is either to gratify my palate, or for the 
 fancied necessity for the stimulus. I say fancied, as I 
 think nine-tenths of the liquor that is drank is from some 
 fanciful cause. That I take pleasure in drinking I will 
 cheerfully admit, and I appreciate the flavor of good Hquor 
 as much as any one. Because ripe peaches are delicious, 
 
422 HOKSE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 we would be foolisli to use them so indiscriminately as to 
 endanger the health, or clog the appetite. My favorite 
 beverage in the morning is coffee, and though I relish a 
 cup of good black tea at times, the decoction of the 
 Arabian berry, when rightly prepared, is the accom- 
 paniment I most fancy to the matutinal meal. But I 
 have expatiated so much on the pleasures of good cheer 
 that you will have a right to think I am more of a gourmet 
 than I am. A horse is better for neither being a gross or 
 deheate feeder, and I have always schooled myself not to 
 be over-fastidious about my food, while my hearty ap- 
 petite causes me to relish almost everything of which 
 people are fond. 
 
 Pupil. — Talking of peaches reminds me that their sea- 
 son is close at hand, and they are among the delectahles 
 which I prize exceedingly. Strawberries, raspben-ies, 
 peaches, grapes, and pears I have a fondness for, which 
 almost amounts to a passion, and I gratify this appetite 
 by consuming quantities that appear frightful to some; 
 and I have often been told that I would kill myself, if I 
 devoured such loads; yet I never found any damage to 
 arise from this wholesale consumption. I think fruit is 
 to man what green, succulent herbage is to the horse — a 
 promoter of good health, and certainly a source of pleas- 
 ure which does no injury. As I am a pound or two over 
 the standard weight, I suppose it would be as well that I 
 should restrain my appetite somewhat, so that the horses 
 would not have to drag more load than is required. 
 
 Peeceptor. — The effect of a few jiounds' weight in trot- 
 ters is hardly appreciable ; that is, when the extra amount 
 consists in four or five pounds of flesh in the driver. Race 
 horses are different, though I think the disadvantages of 
 a slight excess of weight are over-estimated. The story 
 of the stable key in the pocket of the boy has been told 
 ;?o often, that the behef in the dogma, that an ounce or 
 
QUALIFICATIOZSrS FOE A DEIVEE. 423 
 
 two changed tlie result in the trials, is very general. That 
 weight will equahze horses, is shown by the result of the 
 handicaps in England; though the difference necessary to 
 bring a good horse and a poor one together should con- 
 vince people, that the old notion of seven pounds being 
 equal to two hundred and forty yards in four miles is a 
 mistake. Eight or ten pounds, over the regular weight, in 
 a sulky would make a very slight distinction, depending 
 even then a good deal on the state of the track. The ad- 
 ditional friction of a vehicle with four wheels, causes quite 
 a gap in a mile with most horses, though I think this de- 
 pends a good deal on the fact that the wagon covers more 
 ground than the sulky, and therefore is not so easily 
 handled. In going round a turn, the centrifugal force 
 operates prejudicially, and the hind wheels are thrown in 
 such a position that they have to slide as well as revolve. 
 Weight in the wagon there, then, wotdd be more felt, as 
 the heavier the vehicle is, the greater is the tendency to 
 fly from the centre. So I do not think there is much 
 necessity for placing the muzzle on you; and so long as 
 you do not eat too much, so as to effect the free workings 
 of the wheels of the mind, you need not be restricted. 
 
 There are other qualifications required to make a good 
 driver, that are fuUy as essential as skill in handhng a 
 horse; one gxeat requisite being coolness of temper, and 
 another the power of judging quickly, and taking advan- 
 tage of circumstances arising from the varying changes of 
 the race. I wiU not dilate on this point, tiU I see how you 
 deport yourself next week, when I can give advice that 
 will be appropriate, and better understood, as the exigen- 
 cies of the case demand our attention. 
 
 Now for the trial, which is to determine the chances we 
 imagine the horses will have when pitted against a field, 
 each one comprising it doing his best to win. I must again 
 warn you of the danger there will be in taking the time 
 
424 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 the horses make this morning, as being the measure of 
 their powers in a race. Here everything is advantageous. 
 The air is pure, and not a current to retard the progress 
 through it, the track is in fair condition — much beyond 
 the average for making good time — and the horses will 
 have nothing to trouble them, but will take the inside and 
 keep it, while the horse gallops in such a position as to 
 ensure getting the most out of them. I have known 
 horses that would go faster in a race than at a trial, the 
 excitement of the contest, and the animation induced by 
 the shouts of the multitude, bracing them to do more than 
 was thought to be in their power to accomplish. I sup- 
 pose you will commence with the Falcon, jogging him two 
 or tliree miles, opening him as many times by short 
 brushes up and down the stretch. You can drive him 
 past the stand one or twice, stop on the tui-n, drive back 
 to the distance post, and start for the trial at as good a 
 pace as you can drive him. If he breaks, recover him as 
 quickly as you can, and should he leave his feet imme- 
 diately preceding the score, I will not start the watch, so 
 you can puU him up and try again. 
 
 Pupil. — Shall we gallop the horse with him from the 
 first, or wait for the repeat ? 
 
 Peeceptoe, — We wiU wait till he makes the first mile, as 
 I want to see what difference the company wiU make, and 
 it would be too much work for the horse to run with both 
 of the trotters through all their trials. Very well. He 
 made the mile in 2 : 38, and the rate was very even for the 
 whole distance. I do not think he has disjplayed his 
 powers in full, as he appeared to be going too much at his 
 ease, and no one would imagine from his present looks 
 that he had been pressed at all. Throw the blanket on 
 him, and have the boy walk him up the stretch. There is 
 no use in giving him much time, as there is no distress to 
 recover from. 
 
TEIAL OF THE FALCON'. 425 
 
 Now, my boy, I want you to give a practical exemplifica- 
 tion of tlie way to ride a race horse. Tliat fellow is very 
 tractable, and you can place him wherever you desii-e. 
 You can galloj) alongside of the Falcon for a mile, in 
 which he will be driven slow, and when the horse is turned 
 round to start, come a length or two ahead of him, and 
 take your horse up on the turn. The next time, come the 
 same distance behind him, when you can also pull up. 
 The third time let him lead you half a length when I will 
 give you the word; keep this position until you enter the 
 back stretch, when you can go head and head with him 
 to the half-mile pole ; then you can run ahead and take 
 the track, keeping a lead of a couple of lengths in the 
 clear tiU you are within fifty yards of the two-mile dis- 
 tance, when you can pull back gradually, allowing the Fal- 
 con to beat you by a neck to the score. 
 
 These orders to the boy will govern you in driving. 
 Coming to the score twice before you start will be a short 
 lesson in scoring, and you must make the Falcon go at the 
 very best rate. If he wants to puU, do not gratify him 
 any more than you can possibly help, but talk to him, and 
 in place of a hard pull, try to keep him on his feet by 
 soothing words. Sponge his nostrils, give him a swallow of 
 water, and "mount." 
 
 Pupil. — When I conclude the mile, shall I stop, or jog 
 on around the track ? 
 
 Peuceptor. — Go to the half-mile pole, and come back 
 moderately slow, but not slow enough so that he will be- 
 come the least cool. I am in hopes that he will scrape 
 after this work ; and I think he will, as I look for him to 
 work a good deal harder than he did in the preceding 
 mile. I win give you the word when I want you to start, 
 and unless you hear it, you can take him up. If he does 
 not act well, I will delay the send-off. 
 
 Bravo ! — 2 : 34, and the last half done in 1 : 16 ; and from 
 
426 HOESE PORTRAITUEE. 
 
 the manner in which he accomplished it, I have no doubt 
 of his capacity to make another one still faster. The rush 
 he made to beat the runner, when he found he was gain- 
 ing on him, was admirable. Should you handle him as 
 well in a race, as you have in this trial, I will certainly 
 have to award you a diploma. Get him out of the harness, 
 scrape him, straighten his haii',and have him walked till 
 he is cool and dry. You can now see the difference in 
 the appearance and feehng of the sweat, from that which 
 exuded through the pores at the commencement. If the 
 heats are broken, this feUow will make trouble for the rest 
 of them, as his bottom and condition are such that he can 
 trot mile heats all day ; and I would freely venture that 
 his third heat will be faster than either of those preced- 
 ing it. 
 
 We will now see how Never Mind will go through with 
 the ordeal, and while you are jogging him, the boy can be 
 walking the runner. You will not start him till the repeat 
 — the same as we did before. Twice round will be 
 sufficient for Never IVIind to go slow, which you can drive 
 the reverse way of the track, making the last half of the 
 two miles at a pretty sharp pace, and when you come to 
 the stand you can open him for the length of the stretch. 
 Tm-n round at the three-quarter pole, come leisurely till 
 within a hundred yards of the stand, when you can go as 
 fast as you choose for the mile. You will, of course, have 
 to husband his powers for part of the time, and I would 
 advise taking him in hand for the first quarter, and again 
 on the thir^ so that he will feel like going at his best rate 
 through the stretches. Drive him so that you will feel 
 there is always something in reserve, though I should hke 
 to see him hurried at the finish, and thus be able to judge 
 what kind of a brush he will be likely to make at the end 
 of a fast heat. 
 
 That is pretty near " trotting-horse time" — 2:28, and 
 
TEIAL OF NEVEE MIND. 427 
 
 stamina enough to make tliat last rush with plenty of 
 resolution. As there is a good scrape on him, you can 
 take him out of the shafts, wrap him up warmly, walk 
 him a few minutes, and we will scrape him on the ground. 
 I am partial to scraping a horse in the open air, when the 
 weather is at all favorable, as frequently we have to do so 
 when racing, and if the job is performed expeditiously, 
 there is very little liabihty of a horse taking cold ; none 
 at all such a morning as this. Again, you will perceive 
 that the sweat from Never Mind is dissimilar to that from 
 the Falcon. It shows a httle frothy, and has not the same 
 water-like feel that characterizes that of the other. He 
 needed the work of this trial more than the Falcon did. 
 and the race will be of still more benefit in his case. While 
 I am praying for broken heats for the Falcon, I hoj^e 
 for no such catastrophe where he is concerned. You can 
 pursue the same in the next heat as you did before, and 
 the boy can ride in the same manner, only I do not thmk 
 it will be advisable to make so many false starts. Should 
 he be going satisfactorily, I will give you the word the 
 second time you come up. 
 
 Pupil. — I suppose you want him to show his hand this 
 time, so I must keep him going the whole of the way. 
 
 Preceptor. — ^While I want him to do his best, I do not 
 look for him to be able to keep up his best rate the whole 
 of the time, and in order to have him do the mile fast, it 
 will be necessary to "bottle" him for some of the way. 
 Have him well in hand when I give you the word, and 
 keep him within his rate, till you enter the back stretch. 
 There let him go as fast as he can. When the horse 
 takes the track from him at the half mile, ease him again 
 tiU you are fairly straightened into the home stretch, and 
 from that point to the stand, get every inch out of him 
 there is. Move the bit in his mouth, and encourage him 
 with your voice, as the whip, severely applied, might cause 
 
428 HOKSE PORTEAITUEE. 
 
 him to " shut up." As the running horse is pulled back 
 for him to collar, keep him on his legs if possible. If he 
 requires something of a pull to accomjohsh this, you can 
 do so; but try to "hold him level" with the ajjplication 
 of as little force as you can get along with. 
 
 That fellow is a trotter, if even he did show the white 
 feather. 2 : 26, and the half-mile in 1 : 12 is tremendous, 
 considering all things. Still, it is going to require the very 
 acme of condition to enable him to win races among horses 
 that are his equal, or very near his equal, in sj)eed. O 
 for a little more blood ! I missed the quarter pole a Httle, 
 though I am confident he went up the back side better 
 than thirty-five seconds, and had he a moiety of what the 
 Talcon could spare, we would have a trotter that I would 
 not be afraid to "tackle " any person's horse with. Hurry 
 the clothes on him, while I prepare some gruel; he is in a 
 good deal of distress, and will require the best of attention. 
 Observe the tremulous motion of the flanks; and he does 
 not walk as he should. Take the sponge, and shower a 
 little cold water on his poll, and let it run down his fore- 
 head. Here, my boy, run and pull a handful of grass for 
 him, which you can let him pick out of your hand as he 
 walks. Have hot water ready to bathe his legs, and apply 
 the warm bandages as soon as you are done. Give him 
 a few swallows of gruel, and after he is thoroughly cooled 
 out, fix up his bed, and leave him to lie down in quiet if he 
 will. Do not offer him the mash until he has had time 
 to recover, which will be some time after the Falcon has 
 had his. It is fortunate that we have been able to give 
 him this work, as without it he assuredly would have 
 tired in the race; and if these dark flyers have the speed 
 that is claimed, I am afi-aid he will not be sufficiently up 
 to the mark to live through it. They will have to be very 
 fast, however, in order to touch his weak spot, and I thini 
 we can flatter ourselves that he will " pull through." 
 
THE MORNING OF THE RACE. 429 
 
 Witli a few hints for your government in future, I will 
 leave you; and as my affairs need close attention, I will 
 not be here again, but will meet you at the track the 
 morning of the race. I have spoken to the proprietor for 
 stalls, so you will not have any trouble on that score. 
 Take plenty of help along, and more clothes than you 
 think will be required. Rubbers, scrapers, sponges, 
 buckets, a bottle of arnica tincture, and one of sherry, 
 some oatmeal, and whatever else you think will be needed. 
 Never Mind you had better confine to slow work, with 
 the exception of the half mile more the next morning, but 
 one, after you fag him out. Look to his feeding yourself, 
 and give him all the food he will eat with a good appetite. 
 When the bandages are removed to-day, moisten his legs 
 with the arnica, putting four parts of water to one of 
 tincture, and have the boys lightly hand-rub them till 
 they are dry. The Falcon will almost take care of him- 
 self. Work him as you have been doing for the past 
 week, and give him the light sweat at the same time as 
 Never Mind. I am not much in favor of giving a great 
 deal of work, the morning of the race, and, if the animal is 
 not very rank, usually confine him to a walk. The wall' 
 from here to the course will be all that is required. Start 
 immediately after breakfast, and in an hour you will be at 
 the course. As the races do not come off till the after- 
 noon, the manner of your feeding last night will be proper. 
 Carry some feed with you, and give two quarts at ten 
 o'clock, with only a swallow or two of water. I will be 
 there in time to have the stalls bedded and fixed before 
 you come, so there will be no necessity for any directions 
 what to do after you get there. 
 
 19 
 
CHAPTEE XXIX. 
 
 NEVER MIND IN A RACE — INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRIVING — TflB 
 HEATS — CARE OF THE HO SE AFTER THE RACE. 
 
 Preceptor. — You make a brave appearance, with Falcon 
 heading the cavalcade. He has " the front and port of 
 royalty," and at the same time he is too well bred to 
 show anything of curiosity in his deportment. Before 
 we put the horses in the barn, we wiU drive Falcon and 
 Never Mind round the track, in order that they may be- 
 come somewhat familiar with the ground, and also that 
 you may form some idea of how it lies. It is a trifle 
 unequal on its surface, and this you can take advantage 
 of, by saving Never Mind where the gi'ade is ascending, 
 and make the pace as fast as you think necessary on the 
 descent. The Falcon will bowl along up and down hill 
 with the same facility, and from what I hear of his an- 
 tagonists, this will be the only way that will enable him 
 to win. There is no question but that two of the horses 
 that are in the first race — the one Never Mind trots in — 
 are fast, though I judge we have a couple of seconds' 
 advantage on this score. The pool seUing in town was a 
 little mixed, and parties were afi-aid to take any one for a 
 decided favorite. There was not much difference between 
 the two I have mentioned and Never Mind, the rest of 
 them going for merely a nominal sum. If I am not 
 mistaken, the first heat will rid us of the trouble they will 
 
NEVER mind's CONDITION. 431 
 
 occasion, and I would clieerfuUy give a hundred dollars 
 if they did not start in the race. They will be a great 
 bother in scoring, which to have as little of as possible 
 will suit us the best. I have put some money on, which 
 jon can have a share of, but I must confess that I look 
 on this race with a good deal of suspicion. If even they 
 do beat, I would be glad to wager that they cannot do it 
 again in a week or ten days from now; so there will be 
 this advantage, — they will underrate us, and perhaps give 
 us a "better thing" when we are in proper condition. Your 
 note informed me, that Never Mind recovered fi:om the trial 
 better than you anticipated. How is he feeling to-day ? 
 
 Pupil. — As finely as possible, and I was indeed greatly 
 surprised at the manner he recovered from the trial. He 
 was in no hurry to eat the mash that was prepared for 
 him, so I only gave him half the amount at two o'clock. 
 He took his walk in good enough sj^irits, and as soon as 
 he heard the feed room unlocked, he could hardly wait, he 
 was so impatient to get his supper. I have given him a 
 good deal of slow work, and the brush you directed me to 
 give was about as fast trotting as I ever saw. You will 
 see how he wiU tail the field to-day, provided there is any- 
 thing in that is fast enough to collar him. I have more 
 hopes of his lasting than you have, as 1 do not look for 
 him to be kept on his tijD-toes in this race, as when he was 
 going with the galloper, and the track is a good deal 
 harder than the one we have been training on, which will 
 lessen the labor, even if it does try the legs and feet. 
 
 Preceptoe. — I hope you will not be disappointed, though 
 I am quite sure you will find more sjDeed to contend 
 against than you at present are calculating on. From the 
 parties who are supporting these horses, I am confident 
 that they are good ones, as they are not the ones to put 
 the amount up they have already invested, unless they 
 have a good thing, and although they fight shy of each 
 
432 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 other, you can depend that they are under the impression 
 that their own horse is the best. They have heard enough 
 of Never Mind to enable them to bring him into the bet- 
 ting, and while they have full faith in beating him, have 
 so far kept him up in the pools, in hopes that the out- 
 siders would continue the support, and that they would 
 thus get more money than if he had only been suffered to 
 bring the small price the others go for. When they dis- 
 cover that your chances are favorable to win, they will 
 play into each others' hand, and by driving one horse at 
 you part of the time, and laying the other one up, get the 
 benefit of a comparatively fresh horse, which will make 
 the task more arduous for you. These tactics will not 
 probably be inaugurated till after the first heat, when we 
 can also better determine the course to pursue. If this 
 black fellow was only a few seconds faster, how I would 
 like to see them cut and slash at him ! That would just 
 suit, him by keeping him ahve to the size of the job he 
 had on hand. There wiU be time enough, however, to 
 adopt a suitable defence when we see the plan of attack. 
 I see that you have taken a wise precaution in bringing 
 Mavourneen to keep Never Mind company, as a Httle ir- 
 ritation or fretting would be injuiious. The boys had 
 better take off the clothes, and give the horses a light brisk 
 brushing, one or two swallows of water, and two quarts 
 of grain. When they have eaten this, put the muzzles on, 
 and do not permit them to be disturbed until an hour 
 previous to the time to start. At that time, give a pint of 
 grain, so that they will not think their customary feed has 
 been neglected, have the harness placed on them, the 
 sulky wheels taken off, the spindles carefully cleaned 
 and oiled, and a rigid scrutiny observed to see that 
 everything is right. These duties, together with hav- 
 ing all that will be needed ready to go on the track the 
 moment the signal is given, must be attended to, as T 
 
DEIVING TO EULE. 433 
 
 understand the managers have signified their intention of 
 having the rules scrupulously enforced. Fifteen minutes 
 before three, the bell will sound to call you out. You will 
 have that length of time to warm up, and as soon as the 
 watch shows that the advertised hour has come, the horses 
 ready will be started, and if there are laggards, they \n\l 
 be left behind. I have seen so many bad consequences 
 result from delaying the time of starting, that I am glad 
 they have come to the conclusion to be thus punctual. 
 Five minutes will disqualify, and when once places are 
 drawn for, no entry that has delayed making an appear- 
 ance will gain admission. You can depend on Tom and 
 Con keeping a strict watch that no one can obtain access 
 to the horses, so we will walk around the track, in order 
 that you may become as familiar with all its features as 
 there is any necessity for. 
 
 Pupil. — Here is a place which cannot be seen fi'om the 
 judges' stand, and though the distance is short, something 
 might be gained by allowing a horse to "take a few jumps" 
 that would help him. 
 
 Pkeceptor. — My plan has always been to drive strictly 
 to rule, and while I took no undue advantage over my op- 
 ponents, I took care that they should obtain none over 
 me. At this point they may endeavor to interfere with 
 you, one of them carrying you clear to the outside, while 
 the other gets as great a lead as he can. Eunning would 
 be rathier dangerous, as a horse — even if a good breaker 
 — ^is sometimes a httle crochety, and might loose more in 
 recovering than he gained, and should a horse emerge 
 from the shadow in a run, the judges would be very apt 
 to conclude that it was intentional on the part of the 
 driver, which would subject him to the penalty of a dis- 
 tance. The track is certainly in good order for making 
 fast time, and though the afternoon will be warm, the air 
 is not oppressive yet, and I do not think it likely to be- 
 
434 HOESE PORTEAITFEE. 
 
 come so. We will pay the house a visit, where an early 
 dinner is intended, so that it will be out of the way before 
 the rush comes. We will eat ours, when we can relieve 
 the boys and stand guard while they are taking in their 
 provender. Your boys are certainly models, not only at- 
 tentive and careful in the performance of their duties, but 
 they seem to take pride in them, and their aj^pearance is 
 as neat and tidy as those whose business is not near so 
 trying on the clothes. 
 
 Pupil. — I feel jDroud of them. Formerly they cared for 
 nothing, and when their work was done, would listlessly 
 saunter about. The money they earned was as good as 
 thrown away, and they seemed to have an abhorrence of 
 clean clothes. Since they have acquired a taste for read- 
 ing — a taste which I have ciiltivated as far as I could — the 
 change has been marvellous. They now aspire to know- 
 ledge that will fit them for any station, pertaining to the 
 management of horses, and are all of them saving money 
 so as to make the winter months the most profitable, by 
 going to school, when I will warrant they will be indus- 
 trious in remedying the defects the want of education in- 
 flicts. Perhaps the partial seclusion of private training- 
 grounds, has assisted in keeping them away from the 
 temptations they have been accustomed to, though I feel 
 there is no danger of a relapse, and shall look for them to 
 make valuable men, when their education is completed. 
 
 Peeceptoe. — The lessons on order that have been incul- 
 cated, have made those boys worth double the money they 
 would have been, if they had not acquired this great 
 quahty. Everything about the stable shows the care that 
 has been taken, and the clothes, harness, and vehicles, are 
 not only in better condition, but will last three times as 
 long as if they had been neglected; and the satisfaction 
 of having such well-behaved and good-looking boys is 
 
• PREPARATIONS. 436 
 
 more than remuneration, sufficient to repay you for the 
 trouble you have taken with them. 
 
 This dinner hardly equals those you are accustomed to, 
 though allowance must be made for the confusion at- 
 tendant on preparing for a race day. Sandwiches, tarts, 
 doughnuts, &c., are consumed in such quantities, that it 
 must be as hungry a job to witness the contests as your 
 friend deems it dry. 
 
 Pupil. — Shall I limit the Falcon to a pint? His race 
 may be delayed for quite a time after the other, and he is 
 very ravenous in his desires. 
 
 Peeceptor. — The object in giving the horses any grain 
 now, is to stop them worrying about the want of the feed 
 they have been accustomed to, and not for any actual 
 necessitjJ for the sustenance. Digestion cannot take place, 
 and whatever we give will only be in the way. The two 
 quarts they eat at ten o'clock has probably been assimilated. 
 That, and the vigorous state they are in, ought to carry 
 them through these races without any weakness accruing. 
 Should it arise, we will give temporary relief by using cor- 
 dials and stimulants, which will not interfere with the 
 capacity to perform fast work. You want plenty of clothes 
 — woolen and linen— scrapers, rubbers, sponges, foot pick, 
 buckets, water, oatmeal gruel, bandages, knee and quarter 
 boots, the bottle of sherry, &c. I do not think we will re- 
 quire the boots, though it is good pohcy to have them on 
 hand, and still better luck not to need them. You had 
 better shp a pair of hand-pieces on the reins. You need 
 not pull on them any harder than you would if they were 
 absent, and they are of service by beix^g placed at the 
 right length, which a wrap might not be, making your 
 reins of unequal length. 
 
 Now we are ready for the signal, and not a moment too 
 Boon, as there goes the first tap. Don't get in a hurry, 
 but hitch up the same as if you were going out to the 
 
436 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 usual exercise. The quarter of an hour before the start 
 you can jog him slowly, going two miles in the time, and 
 not till you have drawn your place and received instruc- 
 tions from the judges, will it be well for you to speed him. 
 There will undoubtedly be some trouble in getting off, 
 which will be warming up enough, and you must use every 
 endeavor not to prolong the start. Do not drive any 
 faster than is neccessary, though if you obtain the inside, 
 do not give it up unless you are forced to. Still, it will 
 be preferable to lose it, rather than get your horse un- 
 steady on the first quarter. You are fortunate in getting 
 the second place, though the horse that has the pole is one 
 of the fast ones. Lie with him until you come to the 
 straight work on the back stretch, when you can take the 
 pole, if you are able. Should you effect this, ease your 
 horse so that he will have to take the outside of you on 
 the lower turn, and thus equahze the advantage he had 
 on the first. 
 
 Hurrah ! One heat won, and won handily, though here 
 are two spokes gone. How did that happen ? 
 
 Pupil. — As you noticed, I pulled back on the turn, and 
 as we entered the stretch, I was half a lengih behind. 
 When I let loose of Never Mind — which was at the place 
 where we were out of sight of the stand — he tried to pull 
 across me and force me to the outside. I would not be 
 crowded, and I rather think he had the worst of it, as I 
 saw a big gap in his wheel. 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — Tou did right. If you had avoided the 
 colHsion, it woiild have emboldened him to take further 
 advantages. Now, boys, remove the harness, and one of 
 you wipe the sweat off. Throw on that long blanket and 
 woolen hood, sponge out the horse's mouth and nostrils, 
 and walk him a few minutes. There, that will do; tui'n 
 his head to the wind and scrape him as expeditiously as 
 you can. Put on the clothes, and walk him again. You 
 
AFTER THE FIRST HEAT. 437 
 
 can now re-scrape liiui, give him a mouthful of water, 
 straighten the hair with your rubbers, throw the blanket 
 and hood on, leave off the sway and siu-cingie, and walk 
 him four or five minutes. He sweats freely, and is cooling 
 and recovering cajiitally. His breathing has now become 
 natural, so you can di'y up these remaining wet patches. 
 Rub lightly: his coat is looking almost as glossy as before 
 the start. Put a linen sheet and hood on : the woollen 
 might cause him to break out again, and the day is so 
 warm that the only clothing required is to keep the sun 
 off. Now walk him about slowly till the bell rings to 
 harness. 
 
 Well, my scholar, I feel as proud of you as you do of 
 your boys. You drove that heat admirably, and by giving 
 my old friend that you run into a hint of what he might 
 expect, he will be a little careful of how he tries you 
 again. If you had shown any symptoms of feai", the case 
 would have been different; and when he started to cross 
 you on that part of the track where he knew his motions 
 would be unobserved, he little thought that you would 
 not give way. From his not entering any complaint, he 
 is aware that he was wrong, and though he will do his 
 utmost to win, you can rely on his not attempting that a 
 second time. The next heat will be more desperate, as 
 flyer No. Two has not shown what he is capable of yet, 
 and I noticed he kept about the same relative position 
 until he was stopped inside of the distance. As I pre- 
 dicted, the race is now confined to you three, and you will 
 be relieved of the trouble of scoring with horses that are 
 so much slower. The advantage your inside position give^ 
 is a good deal, and if the race could be brought to a close 
 with this heat, I would feel positively certain of winning 
 it. I judge from the rush to the pool seller's station that 
 matters have changed somewhat in the betting, and there 
 is an anxiety to get on to the winner of the heat. The 
 
 19* 
 
438 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 lack of condition is not apparent yet, though I am fearful 
 it will show before two more heats are finished. All the 
 trouble I look for them to give you now is trying to obtain 
 the best of the start, and as long as they do not get lead 
 enough to take the pole before you reach the turn, I would 
 not care if they had half a length the advantage. Again 
 the signal is given. We must not lose any time in getting 
 ready. By always ti-ying to give the judges as little trou- 
 ble as possible, we gain their favorable opinion; and a 
 driver who gains a reputation of not being troublesome, 
 will receive more favors than one who is always wrang- 
 ling. Boys, sponge Never Mind, and allow him one 
 swallow of water. Two to one you win this heat. 
 
 Bravo, again ! Two of the games towards the long rub- 
 ber ; though that was a harder and faster heat than the 
 other, and Never Mind shows a good deal more distress. 
 His legs are shaky, and his breathing more labored. Wrap 
 him up as soon as you can. Walk him along till you get 
 out of the way of the crowd. He scrapes freely, which is 
 one great thing in his favor. Another swallow of water. 
 Now off with him. You may give him a mouthful of gruel. 
 I thinlc we will not use the sherry yet, as I would much 
 rather he would get along without it. He does not cool 
 out as well as he did before. Hold his head to the breeze, 
 and shower some water on his poll. That will do: his eye 
 looks a little brighter. Walk him again, when you can 
 finish drying him. 
 
 Pupil. — That was a different affair from the first heat ; 
 No. Two is a good deal the best horse. I was afi-aid Never 
 Mind was going to quit when about a quarter of the way 
 down the home sti'etch, and when the other horse made 
 the rally, he would have given me more trouble than he 
 did if he had not left his feet. Well, I hope it has been 
 as hard for him as ifc was for me, though from his having 
 an easy heat of the first, it is not likely. 
 
THE THIKD HEAT. 439 
 
 Pkeceptoe. — No telling. I notice a good deal of com- 
 motion among the party, and their horse may not be in a 
 much better fix than onrs. We must disguise our weak- 
 ness as much as we can, and must therefore be prompt 
 at the ringing of the bell. He is now getting along better, 
 and he does not labor so much in breathing, having re- 
 covered more rapidly than I expected he would, from his 
 appearance at the termination of the heat. His eye has 
 also regained its animation, so we will endeavor to win 
 this heat, without the aid of anything but a sup of the 
 gruel. Save him all you can consistent with keeping the 
 lead, which you had better retain, your horse being more 
 apt to lose courage, when the others are in advance of 
 him. 
 
 Well, our flag is lowered, and that heat is lost. We will 
 not throw up the sponge, however, until compelled. You 
 will observe how differently he breathes now from what he 
 did after the first heat. The respirations were quicker then, 
 but he " blew out " forcibly, Q,nd there was not so much ab- 
 dominal effort. He still sweats fi-eely, which will aid in re- 
 covering him from internal difficulty. Bub him dry rapidly, 
 and while the boys are at work, envelop the legs with 
 bandages, putting them on reasonably snug. Pick a little 
 grass for him to be eating. You were only beaten at the 
 very last, and I thought you had the race safe until you 
 were half down the stretch. 
 
 Pupil. — He first tired a little beyond the half-mile pole, 
 and as I could take a pull coming round the turn, I was 
 in hopes he would recover sufficiently to come home. But 
 the di-iver of the other horse seemed to discover for the 
 first time the difficulty I was in, and kept sending his 
 horse as fast as he could, so there was no chance for me 
 to save him unless I surrendered the inside. I did not 
 think it j)ohcy to do so, and Never Mind struggled along 
 with more resolution than I expected. It was a very close 
 
440 HORSE- PORTRAITURE. 
 
 thing-, and I had hopes of winning to the last, or I should 
 have pnlled him up. 
 
 Peeceptok. — It was well that you kept going, as your 
 antagonist also exhibited signals of distress, and the horse 
 that was saved on the last half mile will now hope to win, 
 which will give us a better chance. If these two will 
 only make fight for this next heat, we will win the race 
 yet. 
 
 Pupil. — I am afraid they will not, as they are evidently 
 in collusion. As you could see, one horse was driven at 
 me for the half mile, when his driver pulled him to the 
 outside, allowing the horse that was trailing to come up, 
 without trotting round the other. This was a great saving 
 to the winner of the heat, and not having been pushed, 
 he could make this brush at the turn, where he lapped me 
 with impunity. Perhaps the sherry will revive Never 
 Mind so that he can win this next heat. Is it not time 
 that we were giving it to him ? 
 
 Preceptoe. — It would be, if I intended to give it this 
 ^leat. But I think there is a better plan to follow. We 
 'vill lay him up this heat, and allow the others to struggle 
 'or mastery, and before the next, we will give him the 
 timulus. By dropping him inside the distance, he will 
 partially recover, and then, with the aid of the sherry, I 
 think he will trot the fifth heat nearly as fast as he did the 
 third, which will be sure to win. I am confident that 
 both parties are anxious to win, and while they would 
 " double team " on you, as soon as they think your chances 
 are out, wiU endeavor to gain the race fi'om each other. 
 Never Mind will go comparatively at his ease, when he 
 has the benefit of the eight seconds which he can avail 
 himself of. To get the full benefit, you will have to be 
 very careful to lose the ground gTadually. In goitig the 
 sixteen hundi-ed and sixty yards while the others are mak- 
 ing the mile, it will be as well for you to be within twenty 
 
THE FOURTH HEAT. 441 
 
 yards of tlie leader at the quarter, forty yards at the half 
 mile, and seventy at the three-quarters, when you can 
 drop the balance coming down the stretch, and pull up as 
 soon as you are inside of the red flag. If possible, aid the 
 outside horse in getting the best of the send-off, and drop 
 immediate!}' behind the leader. This will aid you in two 
 ways — your own horse will be mOre hkely to go easier, 
 and give the one that has not won a heat the chance to 
 commence the contest at once, without losing ground in 
 going around you. They are very jubilant over winning 
 this trick, and could hardly stop shouting when they knew 
 they had gained it. Never Mind, the advice is good not to 
 halloo till out of the woods, and they will find there is 
 some very tall timber to traverse before the clearing is in 
 view. Delay a Httle this time — not enough to try the 
 patience of the judges, but sufficient to have them imagine 
 you are more anxious than you are to gain time. 
 
 Upon my word, you did it well, and the horse dropped 
 back so gradually that it appeared as though he was too 
 tired to do more than save his distance, and speculations 
 were rife that he would be " shut out." He is not near so 
 much distressed as he was in the previous heat, and has 
 recovered wonderfully. Barring accidents, I would not 
 give five per cent, to be insured this race. He is now sell- 
 ing for a trifle in the pools, and we must deputise some 
 one to buy him in all of them, provided he can do it with- 
 out engendering suspicion. You attend strictly to cooling 
 him out. I will go and arrange the pool matter, and take 
 a look at the other horses. I will be back in time to give 
 him the wine. What a fall we could give thesefellowsif we 
 were only in prime condition so that we could give away 
 another heat ! Each one of them having won one, there 
 would be no danger to let them struggle again as they did 
 in this, and in the following one they could both the 
 distanced. 
 
442 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 They do not give Never Mind a thought, and those who 
 have put a few dollars on him are loud in their denun- 
 ciations and contemptuous notices, characterizing him as 
 a dungliill, shoemaker, and every ojDprobious epithet they 
 can think of. We will now give him a little more than 
 half a pint of sherry, mixed with the same amount of wa- 
 ter. Give him a swallow of gruel first. I really beheve 
 he has a taste for that twenty-year-old juice, as he licks 
 his lips and looks better pleased than he has for some 
 time. "Walk him very slowly, and have everything in 
 readiness before the bell rings. 
 
 That summons from the judges was to acquaint me 
 that a complaint had been made that you were not trying 
 to win, and praying that they would appoint another 
 driver. It is ten to one that it is the work of those who 
 are betting on the other horses, hoping to have a driver 
 selected whom they can control. Well, the benefit of a 
 good name rarely fails one in an emergency. The judges 
 have known me for many years, and when I assured them 
 we were determined to win, if we could, they required no 
 other guarantee, in spite of the clamors of the complain- 
 ants. This forcing a change of drivers cannot be too 
 strongly reprobated, and I would recommend that the 
 evil of pulUng horses be abolished, by punishing those 
 who do it so severely, that they will not have the oppor- 
 tunity of doing it again, rather than by taking the man- 
 agement away from those who, being more conversant 
 with the horse, know the best manner of handling him to 
 win. I presume the man I sent to buy pools has followed 
 the instructions too closely, buying every one till it was 
 apparent that Never Mind had claims they were over- 
 looking. 
 
 In driving this heat you can make a rush at the start, 
 and take the pole at once, or you can lie closely behind 
 till you enter the home stretch. I am satisfied that you 
 
THE RACE WON'. 443 
 
 can win in either way, and would advise you, if you get 
 the best of the start, to adopt the first plan ; and 
 if you do not, you can follow the other. If you find that 
 you are likely to have the advantage in starting, get on 
 the very outside of the track, and strike a straight line for 
 the inside at the commencement of the turn. But be very 
 careful that you leave plenty of room for the other horses, 
 so that they cannot have a shadow of reason for entering 
 a complaint. When you get the track, ease him, as I have 
 directed before, and while you keep lead enough to 
 prevent them bothering you, there will be no necessity 
 for opening much of a gap. 
 
 There, boys, you can cheer now, if you desii-e to do so, 
 though I always prefer to see people when victorious ex- 
 hibit no more excitement than they can help, and accept 
 defeat with the same equanimity. To you, my scholar, I 
 must offer my congratulations on the skill you have shown 
 in driving, when the chances of defeat appeared greatly 
 to overweigh those of success, following my orders when 
 another course might have looked better. You frightened 
 me at first by appearing a little nervous before you took 
 your seat in the sulky, though I saw you were as cool as 
 a veteran when you became engaged in. the actual contest. 
 
 The judges have announced a postponement of the 
 other trot, so one of the boys can go to the barn, and give 
 the Falcon half a pail of water and a httle hay. Never 
 Mind will require and deserves the best attention. Scrape 
 what water you can from his coat, clothe him, walk a few 
 minutes, and bring him to the barn. Con, you go to the 
 house and get a couple of buckets of hot water. When 
 you have him rubbed dry, take both foot tubs and bathe 
 his legs from the knees and hocks to the feet, then put the 
 bandages on and walk him for ten minutes ; I mil pre- 
 pare a mash. When the boy is walking him, give him a 
 Bup or two of gruel, and allow him to pick a little hay out 
 
444 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 
 
 of the hand. The mash must contain ingredients that 
 will ad as a cordial and tonic, and the water he drinks 
 can be acidulated with the cream of tartar. I will make 
 the mash with two quarts of the hominy and oats, and the 
 same amount of wheat bran, a table-spoonful of sulphur 
 and ground charcoal, a tea-spoonful of powdered golden 
 seal, and the same amount of fenugreek seed. This mash 
 must be made with boiling water and given when still 
 warm. When the walk is finished, give two quarts of the 
 oatmeal gi'uel, and while he is being cleaned and brushed, 
 he can be allowed to eat a small quantity of haj, and the 
 mash proffered him. Should he appear to have no 
 appetite, make up his bed, and by shutting up the stable 
 he may He down for an hour or two, when a little of the 
 tepid acidulated drink can be given. 
 
 From his appearance, I judge there will be no trouble 
 in getting him to eat; therefore you can give him the 
 mash before he lies down. In three hours more his 
 clothes can be taken off, his body lightly wisped, the band- 
 ages removed, and his legs well hand-rubbed. Should 
 there be any swelling or heat perceivable, the tubs must 
 again be used, bathing his legs with hot water for an 
 hour, when dry them, and bandage, after having thoroughly 
 moistened them with tinctiu'e of arnica, diluted with 
 twice its bulk of water. His walk to-morrow morning 
 should be for an hoar and a half, clothed so that he will 
 be comfortable, but not too warm. He must be gradually 
 returned to his full feed and exercise, and if he does as 
 well as I think he will, two days will be the farthest time 
 that will be required. I forgot to tell you to give him 
 two quarts of the mixed hominy and oats, and three 
 pounds of hay, before shutting up the stable for the night. 
 In the morning give him half his usual feed, and after he 
 has finished the walk, he can be permitted to j^ick grass 
 for a quarter of an hour. Two houi's' walk in the after- 
 
BOOTS AND kOLLS. 445 
 
 noon will not be too mucli, provided his legs, or rather 
 his joints, be not swollen, and the following morning he 
 can be jogged three miles, with a brush the length of the 
 stretch. 
 
 Pupil. — Did you observe the amount of leather one of 
 these horses wore? I counted eight boots on his fore 
 legs alone. 
 
 Preceptor. — There seems to be a passion amongst some 
 men to cover a horse's legs with boots, and though there 
 are horses that have to wear them to protect some part 
 from injury, more are generally used than necessity re- 
 quires. I have known people to use them for fear a horse 
 might hit himself, although the animal had never shown 
 any cause for being thus hampered. I prefer to take the 
 pains that will guarantee safety, by looking closely to the 
 shoeing and handhng, and find that in nine cases in ten 
 the result is satisfactory. Our best harness-makers now 
 keep a supply of boots, from which the most fastidious 
 can suit themselves, though I must admit a predilection 
 for more simple contrivances, which often prove fully as 
 effectual. Light buckskin rolls, stuffed with haii', oi 
 circlets of India-rubber tubes, will guard the pasterns as 
 well as the heavy leathern ones. For instance, a horse 
 rarely hurts the quarters with the outside of the toe of 
 the shoe ; the injuiy is done with the inside of the web oi 
 calking, and if tlais catches on a roll, in place of the heel, 
 the foot slips off without doing injury. The shin is often- 
 times better protected with a bandage than by the most 
 elaborately contrived boot that ever was made ; while 
 the knee can be clad with strips of strong cloth envelop- 
 ing the part, and fastened with an elastic tape above the 
 joint, the upper part being turned over, making a double 
 thickness for the foot to strike against. Should the 
 protection be needed above the knee, on the inside of the 
 arm, the folds are put on thicker, and the cloth not 
 
446 HOESE POKTRAITUEE. 
 
 turned over, but allowed to extend upwards as far as is 
 required. This does not need to be fastened more than 
 firmly enough, so that it will not slip over the knee, for if 
 it turns on the leg, the protection is still the same. That 
 some of the very fastest trotters are " booted all over," is 
 not a proof that wearing boots is beneficial, as it may be 
 safely laid down that anything unnecessary is an injury. 
 
 This j)ostponement of the race, wliile it has favored us 
 by giving us plenty of time to attend to Never Mind, I am 
 afraid will result in a longer delay than we will like. See 
 how quickly the sky is becoming overcast, and the distant 
 thunder and the flashes of lightning are premonitory 
 symptoms that the storm is near at hand. 
 
 This long, hot, " dry spell of weather " has culminated, 
 and I will venture the prophecy that we will have a lapse 
 of several days before the " day and tra.ck " are both good. 
 We can tell better, however, before bed-time, when the 
 Falcon can either be prepared for to-morrow's race, or 
 the muzzle removed, and he be allowed his usual quantity 
 of fodder. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 DEXTER 
 
 HIS MEASUREMENT AND DESCRIPTION. 
 
 As a further illustration of Dexter, aside from the very 
 correct engraving that forms the frontispiece of this 
 volume, I subjoin measurements taken in Chicago, Sep- 
 tember 8, 1867 — and comparing them with those of 
 Lecomte, Leviathan, Eclipse, and Doubloon. 
 
 I was much gratified to find that these measurements 
 — which were carefully taken — tended to prove the cor- 
 rectness of the positions in Horse Portraiture, and that 
 this noted horse, acknowledged to be superior to all others 
 that had preceded him, was formed after the model recom- 
 mended as being the best for a fast and lasting trotter. 
 
 In instituting the comparison between him and the 
 four noted thoroughbreds included in the tabular state- 
 ment, I wanted to see whether he "approximated towards 
 the form of the thoroughbred," or whether he had other 
 characteristics, that would prove the configuration of the 
 blood horse — conceded to be the best for racing speed — 
 was not required for fleetness of movement in the roadster. 
 Fortunately, Lecomte and Dexter are very nearly of the 
 same size, in height, length, and girth, the two measure- 
 ments being identically the same, and the only difference 
 in the cu'cumference of the chest being three-quarters of 
 
448 APPENDIX. 
 
 an inch. As the height and length would not be varied by 
 the amount of flesh each one carried, it is safe to assume 
 that these two horses, so noted in their respective classes, 
 were of a size. The estimates arrival at, from a con- 
 sideration of the data afforded by this detailed measure- 
 ment, should be nearly correct; and when we find a horse 
 agreeing with them, we may confidently look for a good 
 one, provided he is not deficient in nerve force, which 
 cannot be so accurately measured. Both horses gave 
 evidence of the possession of that, by their performances, 
 and each one displayed it to the eye educated in detecting 
 this wonderful power. These measurements were taken 
 in the stall and with the assistance of Peter Conover, who 
 has had the horse in charge for several years, and I was 
 much pleased with the docihty of his charge, who stood 
 very quietly while the tape was placed in the most trying 
 positions to a nervous animal. 
 
 The height was arrived at by placing him on a plank, 
 laying a square on his withers in a level position, and 
 measuring with a tape Kne from point to point. Some of 
 the measiirements could not be arrived at with the same 
 accuracy, as the length of neck, back, &c. But when the 
 corresponding points were definitely fixed, great care was 
 taken that the results should be exact. 
 
 a a ^ P »j 
 
 ^ o ^ b n 
 
 a § ^ 3 § 
 
 MEA8IIKEMENT8 OP (5 3 l3 H O 
 
 inches inches inches inches inches 
 
 Height of withers 62 62 64 61 60 
 
 Length of head 25 24 23} 23} 23' 
 
 " " neck 25 31 30 25 251 
 
 Eonnd the muzzle 19 .. 18^ 20* 18 
 
 " swell of jaws 33 .. 2G .. 32 
 
 Length of back.' 23 21J 18 10 19 
 
 From hip to hip over the loin 19 24 19 . . 23 
 
 Round the body at girth 68i 69 T2 74 Tl 
 
DEXTEE. 
 
 449 
 
 MEABimEMENTS OF 
 
 Uound the flank oyer the loin 65 
 
 Elbow to ground ' 36} 
 
 Kound the arm at swell 19^ 
 
 " "knee 13 
 
 " " cannon midway 8 
 
 " " hock 14J 
 
 " " cannon, hind leg 8J 
 
 From point of hip to point of hock 40^ 
 
 " " " hock to ground 23 
 
 From point of shoulder to point of buttock 62 
 
 Round stifle 39} 
 
 " tibia IT 
 
 " neck, at the head 31} 
 
 " " "body ... 42i 
 
 " the barrel 71 
 
 from point to point of shoulder 13 
 
 " back of knee to the ground 19 
 
 " " " " to middle of pastern 11 
 
 Length of hip 22 
 
 i 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 i 
 
 hes 
 
 nches inches inches 
 
 68 
 
 72 
 
 74 
 
 71 
 
 36 
 
 37i 
 
 36J 
 
 35} 
 
 20} 
 
 22 
 
 m 
 
 20 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 12i 
 
 8* 
 
 9 
 
 n 
 
 Ti 
 
 16 
 
 161 
 
 163 
 
 15i 
 
 8* 
 
 9* 
 
 Si 
 
 84 
 
 41 
 
 42i 
 
 m 
 
 384 
 
 25 
 
 25 
 
 24| 
 
 22 
 
 62 
 
 69 
 
 65} 
 
 64 
 
 89 • 
 
 40 
 
 
 82 
 
 
 18 
 
 18} 
 
 17 
 
 29 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 30i 
 
 
 47 
 
 45 
 
 53 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 78 
 
 15 
 
 
 •• 
 
 
 In looking over the tabular statement of their respective, 
 measurements, and comparing those of Dexter with the 
 others, no great divergence is manifest. Dexter's head is 
 long, longer than either of the others, although the 
 thoroughbred characteristics are plainly developed. There 
 is no superfluous flesh, and while the taj)e line shows him 
 to be larger in the swell of the jaws, he is beautifully 
 carved out below the eyes tiU the muzzle is finer than 
 Eclipse and in the same propoi-tion to the upper part as 
 Doubloon. Tn considering the neck and its relative pro- 
 portions with the others, the disagreement is reconciled 
 from the fact that they were entire, while the emascula- 
 tion of Dexter would take away from the measurement at 
 its base more than at the setting- n of the head. At this 
 point he is finer than would be inferred from his being 
 larger than the others, the thickness being in a horizontal 
 
450 APPENDIX 
 
 direction, while the windpipe is so much detached that 
 the Una was carried away quite a. distance from the lower 
 part of the neck. The length of a horse's back would 
 hardly be agreed upon by two men measuring the same 
 animal at different periods. The length given in the table 
 is from the springing of the withers to the " coupling." 
 
 A line from the posterior part of the shoulder-blades 
 to the hip would take away enough from the twenty-five 
 inches, to render his back no longer than that of 
 EcUpse or Doubloon. The distance from "hip to hip 
 over the loin" shows that the points of his hips are more 
 elevated than the rest, with the exception of Leviathan, 
 which is also shown by the great distance from the "point 
 of the hip to the point of the hock." The girth depend- 
 ing greatly on the condition of the horse, and the i^re- 
 sumption being that Leviathan, Eclipse, and Doubloon 
 were not in training when the measurements were taken, 
 and that Lecomte and Dexter carried about the same 
 flesh, their lower condition would account for the dis- 
 crepancy in the circumference of the chest. 
 
 The same remark will apply to the meastu'ement round 
 the flank, which could he still more varied by the stomach 
 being full or empty, the length of time in training, &c. 
 
 The next distance in the table is the height of the elbow 
 above the ground surface, which is the same as in Eclipse 
 who was an inch lower, one inch greater than Doubloon, 
 two inches being the variation in their height, three- 
 quarters of an inch less than Leviathan, and three-quar- 
 ters more than Lecomte. There is therefore no marked 
 distinction in this point. We now come to a measurement 
 showing the volume of muscle in a place that is acknowl- 
 edged to have a good deal to do with rapid progi-ession, 
 ."iz: the circumference of the arm at the swell. These 
 muscles acting on the ligaments and teudon^ which 
 extend the fore-leg, and the power with which they act, 
 
D E X T E K . 451 
 
 and the celerity of their dilatation and construction, 
 govern the length and quickness of the stride. While it 
 is impossible to say from an outside measurement which 
 is the most muscular animal when there is only a third of 
 an inch less diameter in the arm, and when harder or 
 longer continued work had fined down the tissue in one 
 more tlaan the other, and while the effect between gallop- 
 ing or trotting in augmenting the muscular development, 
 cannot be definitely stated, Lecomte was, and Dexter is, 
 a very powerful animal in this particular, which further 
 consideration will certainly show. 
 
 "Around the knee" Dexter is larger than any of the 
 others, the place where the measurement was taken being 
 squarely across the bony projection, to which the back 
 muscles are attached by their tendons. The measui'emeut 
 around the cannon, being only exceded by Leviathan and 
 Lecomte, shows that he is the equal of a majority of 
 thoroughbreds in this particular. Not only is the size 
 analagous, but the appearance is similar, and his legs 
 show the preponderance of the racing blood that flows in 
 his veins. Around the hock he is smaller than any that 
 I am comparing him with, and after an hour's critical ex- 
 amination, the most faulty point I coidd find was the shape 
 of his left hock. 
 
 There is a little fullness observable in the lower and 
 outer portion of the joint, which I have no doubt has 
 always existed. The hardest usage might never effect it, 
 as I have seen much worse withstand the wear and strain 
 of several season's racing. Still, in an animal otherwise 
 as well formed as Dexter, it is a great pity that this defect 
 ehould exist. The off hock is finely shaped, and the 
 width above them is greater than is usually seen. " From 
 point of hip to point of hock " he will compare favorably 
 with the very best, while from the last mentioned point to 
 \he ground, the distance is less than any, save Doubloon. 
 
452 APPENDIX. 
 
 This configuration lias always been recognized as a mark 
 of speed, and many of our best race borses have exbibited 
 this formation. There have been exceptions as was 
 instanced by Don John, a horse of the greatest speed and 
 endurance, and while I would have no objections to 
 greater length in the metatarsal bones, a majority would 
 prefer a horse to be "well let down in the hocks" after 
 the fashion of Boston and Dexter. Both of these horses 
 were comparatively long in the posterior measurement 
 occasioned by the great length of os calcis; and the angles 
 of the propelling limb are such as a good judge would 
 jjronouuce to be proper for the fulfillment of the duties 
 reqiiired of them, moving in a way that would be the 
 least exhaustive of the power furnished by the muscles. 
 
 The measurement around the stifle is tremendous, and 
 it was only after several readjustments of the tape that I 
 could be satisfied we had got it correctly. Larger than 
 all except the great horse Leviathan, and then only lack- 
 ing a quarter of an inch, where the other was seven inches 
 longer in body, is certainly very remarkable. The volume 
 of muscles covering the fi'amework, is the reason for this 
 large girth, and the merest tyro in equine anatomy will 
 readily see the effects of having such a magazine of power 
 to propel the body along. 
 
 The lower thigh is larger than usual, and though not 
 equaling Leviathan or Echpse, yet being the same as 
 Doubloon, a horse that was more than ordinarily power- 
 ful, shows that it is in harmony with the muscles located 
 at a higher point. The circumference of the barrel is 
 about in relative proportion with the others, taking the 
 girth of the chest and flank as criteria to be guided by. 
 This gives the wedge-like form, the very best configura- 
 tion for sjDced and lastiugness. " From point to jDoiut of 
 shoulder" the distance is shorter than Lecomte, and to 
 those familiar with both these horses the aid of a tape 
 
D E X T E E . 453 
 
 line would not be necessary to point this out. The race 
 horse was " as thick through as a hay-stack " to use an 
 Enghsh expression, while the trotter, though showing no 
 want of substance, is rather more delicately formed. 
 
 In giving these various measurements, it is not intended 
 to reduce the characteristics of conformation to mathemat- 
 ical rules, and thus try to fix an absolute guide to perfec- 
 tion of form. But fi'om finding that a great majority of 
 first-class performers on the racing arena are "fashioned 
 after a particular pattern," it is fair to conclude, that the 
 fast trotter also has an outward reason — ^patent to the 
 observing eye — why he is capable of excelling in his man- 
 ner of progression. 
 
 That Dexter 's form "approximates to the first-class race 
 horse" cannot be doubted by any one who will study 
 these comparative measurements, while his general ap- 
 pearance brings the parallel still closer. 
 
 I found from a close examination of him in his stall 
 that this highbred appearance was more apparent than 
 when in harness, or when seeing him at speed on the 
 track, and I will now try to convey the idea of "what sort 
 of a looking horse is Dexter," a question I have heard 
 asked a thousand times. 
 
 In color he is a brown, with shades of a lighter hue, the 
 more prominent parts being so light as to come under the 
 denomination of bay. This shading is very pleasing to 
 me, bringing into prominence the muscles, and softening 
 down the more angular portions of his frame. The white 
 marking in his face is different from any of the prints or 
 pictures that I have seen. In place of coming i-ound more 
 jinder the left eye than the right, it narrows ahke on both 
 sides, following truly down the nose nearly to the nostrils, 
 where it diverges, covering almost the whole of the upper 
 lip. The white legs are truthfully depicted in the engrav- 
 ing. His coat is silky, the hair in the mane and tail being 
 
 20 
 
454 APPENDIX. 
 
 fine. There are a few small flesh-colored spots under the 
 eye and along the sides. His head is large and bony, 
 very well shaj^ed, and showing in the full rounded fore- 
 head, and in the exjoression of the eye, that the nei've force 
 predominates to an unusual extent. The eye itself is 
 beautiful, prominent, and clear, with a small speck of 
 "glass" in the lower corner of each, giving greater effect 
 to the brilliant hazel of the eyeball. His ears are long, 
 slender, in fact just the ear that is rei^resented as gracing 
 the head of the Falcon, and which adds in my estimation 
 more to the beauty of the horse than any other point of 
 adornment whatever. He carries them well, and whether 
 at rest or in motion, they are sure to attract attention. 
 His neck is of medium length, slightly drooping in front 
 of the withers with very little elevation of crest. The head 
 is finely joined to it, and there is plenty of room for the 
 windpipe between the jaw-bones. 
 
 His shoulder is very good, the scapula falling back 
 obliquely into the sway, while the point is well advanced, 
 and the leg falls truly from thence to the ground. 
 
 He " forks " beautifully, and very few race horses equal 
 bim in this respect, or are superior in the form of the 
 brisket. The knee, as shown from the measurement, is 
 large and broad, with the bony projection behind well 
 developed. There is a small splent on the near fore-leg, 
 but far enough from the tendons and joint so that it never 
 can do injury. His pasterns are obhque and of good 
 length, without showing any appearance of weakness; the 
 joints round, and giving no evidence that the many races 
 he has trotted has effected them in the least. Like the 
 race horse there are no long hairs on the upper pastern. 
 His feet, though white, are first-rate, and it is a singular 
 circumstance that the frog in each one is black, though 
 the sole surrounding them is the same color as the walk 
 His middle piece is good being very deep through the 
 
DEXTER. 455 
 
 heart, with the curvature of the ribs increasing to the 
 centre of the barrel. The spine rises in front of the 
 coupling, giving him an arched loin, yet not high enough 
 to look unsightly. His back ribs might be a Httle longer, 
 though they approach the hip very closely; and were it 
 not that the stifles are placed unusually low, this would 
 surely interfere with his great speed. This conformation 
 then adds to his endurance, while the sj^eed is not sac- 
 rificed, owing to the placing of the stifles. His hip is long 
 and sloping, with the tail set on low. The effect of a slop- 
 ing hip has been fully considered in the chapter on form, 
 and it would be useless to rehearse it here. 
 
 With the exception mentioned about the near hock, his 
 hind-legs are fii"st-rate, muscular, with those of the upper 
 thigh and stifle predominating, yet there is a balance kept 
 up and the long firm muscles are appropriately terminated 
 in large tendons. 
 
 The hamstring is very large, and the back cords are of 
 fine size and stand out well from the bone. There is no 
 puffiness about the hocks or pasterns, or any appearance 
 to indicate that the work he has had has been prejudicial 
 to them. In this respect his legs look better than when 
 I saw him last year, as then there was a tendency to 
 cracking in the heels, of which there is no symptom now. 
 Standing squarely behind him, a person is astonished at 
 the power shown from the loin to the gaskin. Though 
 the hips are wide and somewhat ragged, the stifles are still 
 wider, and at the hazard of being thought tedious, I can- 
 not refrain from again calling attention to this develop- 
 ment. The muscles that run from the ileum to the 
 femur are so large that when the horse walks they become 
 apparent to the eye, ridging the skin as if striving to 
 break through the silky covering, while kindred masses 
 so extend the quarters that he fills up a breeching that 
 would be too long for a much larger horse. 
 
456 APPENDIX 
 
 Forty-two and a half inches was the measurement from 
 stifle to stifle around where the breeching would come. 
 He is very compactly formed underneath the tail, " well 
 pocketed" as I have heard old horsemen express it, and 
 not divided hke a pair of tongs. 
 
 Standing, where a side view can be obtained, the gray- 
 hound form is observable. The deep chest, receding flank, 
 sloping hip, long thigh, and short cannon, placed at the 
 proper angle, are after the model of the fleetest of animals, 
 while the hare-formed brisket and perpendicular fall of 
 the front leg, with the elastic spring of the sloping shoul- 
 der and pastern, show that the power apj^lied will have 
 no inert mass to move, but the rebound will equal that of 
 the rubber ball when it strikes the ground. The front 
 view shows the mass of brain, the expressive eye and ear, 
 the large nostril, the baiTel swelling on each side of the 
 shoulders, and behind that the curved line of the immense 
 quarters. Standing squarely on his feet, the toes of the 
 front ones are fairly in line, owing to the proper placing 
 of the elbow, which is parallel to his body, whUe the hind 
 have a slight outward inclination, due the position they 
 got from the hock. There is nothing in his appearance to 
 show that other than royal blood runs in his veins, and 
 were he placed in a stable of race horses, his pedigree 
 would not be questioned from his looks, sooner, than many 
 that have distinguished themselves on the legitimate tiu-f. 
 One of the great tests of blood is the fine texture of the 
 hoofs : this Dexter has. Another is the thinness of the 
 skin, and prominence of the sujjerficial veins: these he 
 also possesses. Width between the jaw-bones, and the 
 sharpness of their edge, characterize him as weU as those 
 that are higher bred. His walk is exactly that of the race 
 hoi'se. From weighing these distinctive marks of breed- 
 ing, I am led to believe that the only blood iu him other- 
 wise than that of the race horse, is that which he obtains 
 
DEXTEE. 
 
 457 
 
 from his great-grandsii-e, imported Bellfounder, and that 
 the purer has completely obliterated that and canceled its 
 bad effects. 
 
 His manner of going is peculiar to himself, and while 
 his trotting-gait is as even as the movement of a well-con- 
 structed watch, he goes with so much power that he fairly 
 makes the track jar with the energy of his motion. This 
 I think is due to the long sweep from the hip to the hock, 
 and the tremendous force of the muscles between these 
 two points. I saw an illustration of this in his late race 
 in Chicago. In coming to the score with Brown George 
 and running mate, he detached a ball of clay from his 
 shoe ; it flew into the air hke a bomb projected from a 
 mortar, and describing the same kind of a cui've, fell adja- 
 cent to the three-in-five distance stand. 
 
 The Chicago track is constructed with a coating of clay 
 laid on the natural soil of the low prairie. There is a good 
 deal of elasticity, or rather there is a vibratory motion 
 when the horses pass over it, perhaps more sensibly felt 
 in the judges' stand than any other place. I feel positive 
 that 1 might have been blindfolded and placed in the 
 stand, and all the horses at the park driven by at speed, 
 when I could have selected Dexter from the throng a 
 dozen times in succession, from the greater jar that he 
 gave the building. 
 
 While other horses on the turf may possess as much 
 speed, as is instanced by the trotting with a running mate, 
 they are incapable of keeping it; while Dexter commences 
 at the outest, and the brush lasts till his anticipated task 
 is completed. There is no faltering, clambering, or dwelHng, 
 but the steady rate is persevered in, and the powerful 
 stroke kept up with the same ease with which Kentucky 
 or Asteroid takes his daily exercise. I have not had the 
 pleasure of seeing Kentucky since he was two years old, 
 but have seen the other great horse run in many of his 
 
458 APPENDIX. 
 
 races, and I have been struck with the parallel between 
 his racing and Dexter's trotting. Asteroid starts at a 
 sweeping rate, at the tap of the drum, his competitors 
 straining every nerve to keep up. They do so for a time, 
 and when they fall off, you wonder what has been the 
 cause. You see no change in the son of Lexington and 
 Nebula : he comes in winning "in a big gallop " as the 
 boys say, but that gallop has been enough to break the 
 heart of his adversaries, without actually being a measure 
 of his own powers. 
 
 It is almost needless to say that I am gratified to find 
 the form of Dexter agreeing with that recommended in 
 chapter twenty-six, and also his great resemblance to a 
 first-class race horse. 
 
 Recognized as being the only type that will answer for 
 continued rapid exertion at the natural fast pace of the 
 horse — the gallop, it is but reasonable to conclude that 
 the perfect symmetry only found in the blood horse, or 
 those nearly allied to him, is an advantage that cannot be 
 overlooked in the trotter. 
 
INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 ABDALLAn, Description of SOS 
 
 Allonging 170 
 
 The colts in tlae snow 368 
 
 Anatomy, A Icnowledge of, necessary to un- 
 derstand tlie frame of the horse 22S 
 
 Andrew Jackson, Pedigree of 305 
 
 Ariel, Pedigree of 311 
 
 Preponderance of Messenger blood.. 56 
 AttTEKiEs and veins 263 
 
 Bandages, How to apply them after a sweat- 
 ing 299 
 
 Length, breadth, etc Ill 
 
 How to put on 114 
 
 The duties of, wet and dry, etc.. 113 
 When they ought to be used for 
 
 support 114 
 
 Bath, Turkish or Koman, benefit of 186 
 
 Bearing or check rein, " Keuible Jackson " 
 
 check 177 
 
 Bedding, Material of — Straw, sawdust, sand. 294 
 
 Beeswing 20 
 
 Bit, Curb, practical exempliflcation of 181 
 
 Bits, Different varieties of 176 
 
 for sore mouths 183 
 
 Leather and silk 177 
 
 Bitting 169 
 
 Blanketing, when giving the first sweats.. 298 
 
 Blinders, their uses 247 
 
 Blistering 185, 136 
 
 Blood, Benefit of 
 
 Benefit of, in trotters 42 
 
 Changes, how a rapid pace affects it.. 261 
 
 Blood-Horses, Longevity of. 
 
 Bolting, Dangers of, how to remedy 47 
 
 Boots, Contrivance to take their place 445 
 
 For May-day 203 
 
 Bkain, The scat of nerve force 893 
 
 Evidence of a large 395 
 
 Large, necessity of 32 
 
 Bkan and bran mashes 252 
 
 Breaking from a trot, importance of teacli- 
 
 ing a horse not to break 83 
 
 Importance of obedience to com- 
 mands 335 
 
 Eecovering a horse from a break 231 
 
 Stallion 71 
 
 Bbeeding, Advantages of a mixture of 
 
 French blood 46 
 
 The Messenger blood 303 
 
 In, necessary to establish a fixed 
 type 58 
 
 PAOB 
 
 Breeding, Pleasure of 43 
 
 Bridles, how they should fit 247 
 
 Buildings on breeding farms, adornments.. 67 
 
 Calluses formed by pulling. 25 
 
 Camp Life 29 
 
 Cakrying the tongue out of the mouth 18i! 
 
 Cauterizing, The benefits of 419 
 
 Charmer and Betsey Malone 129 
 
 Chifney's Instructions 177 
 
 Clipper, Description and history of 44 
 
 Grazing and alterative medicine for 
 
 hiui 135 
 
 His first brush 408 
 
 How his legs will have to be treated 407 
 How to cure him of bolting and 
 
 breaking 47 
 
 The treatment pursued with 3S6 
 
 Want of condition, ailment, etc 45 
 
 Clotbing 114, 115 
 
 After the sweat, and when cooling 
 
 out 298 
 
 For first sweats, amount of, and 
 
 how to put it on 297 
 
 Injury from using it too often 20 
 
 Colic, Poisoning horses with colic drenches 227 
 
 Colts, Breaking, first lessons 166 
 
 By Andrew Jackson — One-eye 305 
 
 Fall and winter-quarters 60 
 
 General description of the colts in the 
 
 "Trial Stable" 217 
 
 How a wild colt was broken 200 
 
 How to be treated when yearlings. . . 124 
 
 Learning young colts to eat 68 
 
 Playing in the field 143 
 
 Preparing fall pasturage for the wean- 
 lings 59 
 
 Proper method of working 899 
 
 Removal of parasites, mercurial oint- 
 ment 69 
 
 Eequire cow's milk at times 70 
 
 Scouring, remedies for 226 
 
 Should be driven with and without 
 
 blinds 248 
 
 Stakes, the benefits of 142 
 
 The care of them during the winter.. 68 
 
 Uses of the check-rein. 171 
 
 Variety of food necessary 125 
 
 When and how to wean 59 
 
 Winter rations CO 
 
 Wrong way of rearing 27 
 
 Condition, tests of ". 381 
 
460 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PACE 
 
 Corn, Indian 358 
 
 Coronary ligaments, enlargement of, taken 
 
 for ringbone 228 
 
 Country Life 207 
 
 Cutting, A heavier shoo may remedy it 204 
 
 Between the hoof and pastern of 
 
 hind foot 78 
 
 Do., do., roll to prevent 203 
 
 Dangers of, on a lialf mile track . . 205 
 How to determine, by painting 
 
 the foot 204 
 
 How to dress the wound 380 
 
 The quarters 95, 97, 98 
 
 The quarters from bad shoeing. . 379 
 
 Deoakbonization of the blood 286 
 
 Dboiikation of horses 116 
 
 Dentition 173 
 
 Dexter 447 
 
 Comparison, measurements, etc 448 
 
 Description 449-458 
 
 Difference between trotting and running.. 184 
 Direction for work in the Preceptor''s ab- 
 sence 1 74 
 
 Distress, internal, how to relieve it 278 
 
 Drawbacks to training in early days 30 
 
 " Drawing fine " 268 
 
 Driver, Qualifications for a 423 
 
 Drivers, Peculiarities of 231 
 
 Driving, Bad driving the reason for a horse 
 
 grabbing 98 
 
 How to handle the reins 24 
 
 Necessity of " light hands " 25 
 
 On the road 187 
 
 Skill in 413 
 
 Elbow, ITow to prevent injury to 814 
 
 English Colts, Their appearance when year- 
 lings 128 
 
 Exercise, Necessity for it at all times 148 
 
 Experiments to show the eflfects of a high 
 check 178 
 
 Falcon, The, His form, description and ped- 
 igree 81-35 
 
 His first trial 425 
 
 History of 35^1 
 
 History of work, condition, etc 3S4 
 
 Instruction for driving 402 
 
 Preceptor drives him on the road. . . . 194 
 
 Preparation for a ten mile race 289 
 
 Preponderance of Messenger blood in 306 
 
 Weight of his shoe 98 
 
 Farm, Breeding 52-55 
 
 Fat, Diminution of it essential 185 
 
 Effect of inside fat on the heart and 
 
 lungs 260 
 
 How it is deposited and absorbed 262 
 
 Necessity for, when commencing train- 
 ing 185 
 
 Necessity for removal 263 
 
 Outside 265 
 
 "Taking on" 268 
 
 Feed, How to prepare 251 
 
 Mixture, hominy, oats, bran, etc 252 
 
 The effects of, in different horses 224 
 
 Feeding, " Poor Feeder," causes when 
 
 young 27 
 
 The number of feeds, time of giv- 
 ing, quantity, etc 137 
 
 Febd-room should be locked, and why 253 
 
 PAOt 
 
 Feet, Care of, picking, washing, etc 876 
 
 Effect of muddy roads on 149 
 
 Position of tlie feet in trotting and run- 
 ning, illustrated with a diagram 409 
 
 Pence for track 164 
 
 Firing, Percival's opinion of 419 
 
 Food, Hay, cornblades, straw, etc 349 
 
 Table of comparative values 356 
 
 Form 32-S5 
 
 The best form for a trotter, and the rea- 
 sons why such a configuration is the 
 best 388-392 
 
 Gen. Grant naming a colt at the Illinois 
 fair 158 
 
 GOVERMENTAL aid 149 
 
 Grass, Benefits of, why better than bran 
 
 ma.shes 201 
 
 Grazing and sago gruel, comparison, etc ... 860 
 Grooming and rubbing sometimes overdone 107 
 
 Cruelty in 109 
 
 Currycomb and brush, how to be 
 
 used 106 
 
 Rubbing cloths, wisp, how to use 
 
 them Ill 
 
 The reasons for, and effects of.. . . . 107 
 
 Half-bred, The English definition of 127 
 
 Hair Mittens, Benefits of, forathiu-skinned 
 
 horse 110 
 
 Harnf.ss, how to adjust 230 
 
 Harnessing, Necessity of, care in 229 
 
 Hat, Best quality, how to determine it 349 
 
 Different kinds 352 
 
 Prairie hay, medicinal effects of 354 
 
 Time for feeding, when training 356 
 
 "Hippodroming" 145 
 
 Hippopathology 225 
 
 HlPPOPlIYBIOLOGY 259 
 
 Hirondelle, Pedigree and characteristics.. . 78 
 
 Over trotting herself 78 
 
 Hieondelle'b Manner of trotting 205 
 
 Hominy 252 
 
 Ice, a race on the ice in Chicago 28T 
 
 Benefits of driving on the ice 23fi 
 
 Injury from lying on the shoe 313 
 
 Iowa, Advantages of, for breeding horses. . . 74 
 
 Jane, Description and pedigree of 22 
 
 Commencement of her trotting educa- 
 tion 28 
 
 Further instructions for driving 404 
 
 How she should be .shod 99 
 
 How to drive her 283 
 
 Kemblb Jackson check 179 
 
 Kicking straps 251 
 
 Kindness must be enforced K'8 
 
 King, His history, etc., extreme wildness.. . 86 
 Kkeb boots 26 
 
 Hitting it, caused by wrong set uf the 
 elbows 25 
 
 Instrument to cure hitting 80 
 
 Treatment for enlargement of, old 
 standing 99 
 
 Do., do., recent injury 90 
 
 Lessons in breaking 375 
 
 Lexington and Sallie Waters 91 
 
 At the St. Louis Fair 82 
 
INDEX. 
 
 461 
 
 PAGE 
 
 liOOKJAW from careless shoeing 104 
 
 Treatment of 105 
 
 LoNO and short horses 397 
 
 Mambbino Chief, Pedigree 309 
 
 Make that would not stand, how she was 
 
 cured 196 
 
 Maebs, Accommodation for brood 58 
 
 Breeding in and in 58 
 
 Gestation and parturition, nursing.. 70 
 
 How to feed 69 
 
 Proper manner of feeding brood- 
 mares 59 
 
 The proper kind to breed from 57 
 
 "Winter quarters for 69 
 
 Martingale, long and short, their eflfects... 231 
 
 Further remarks on 244 
 
 MA8H, how to make 291 
 
 Max i>ATi Appearance, description, etc 76 
 
 Boots and rollers to prevent cut- 
 ting hind pastern 203 
 
 Faults of her form 77 
 
 Heavy shoes, the consequence of. . 841 
 
 Her first drive 292 
 
 Her manner of going, how to cor- 
 rect, etc ". 202 
 
 Time of her first Trial 412 
 
 Mavoukneen, Description of 81 
 
 MessenqEK and his descendants 303 
 
 History of, his location 319 
 
 Muscles, Removal of fat from the interstices. 265 
 
 Naming Farms 66 
 
 Narrowness of skull a token of want of 
 
 sense 20 
 
 Neck, Efi'ects of sweating on 266 
 
 Large neck, why it is prejudicial 267 
 
 Never Mind, Description of 19 
 
 Care and food after his first 
 
 sweat 312 
 
 Cuts his quarter, what occa- 
 sioned it 380 
 
 Examination of him after the 
 
 brush 271 
 
 His condition 431 
 
 His first brush 257 
 
 His first race 435 
 
 His first sweat, how to clothe 
 
 and treat 295 
 
 His manner of walking 221 
 
 Morning of the race 429 
 
 Necessity for grazing 222 
 
 Preceptor's opinion of him 
 
 after driving him 199 
 
 The trial of 427 
 
 The work given him, appear- 
 ance, etc 385 
 
 Treatment of the night before 
 
 his first sweat 293 
 
 "Weight of shoe jiroper for him 97 
 Wins after a hard struggle and 
 
 broken heats 443 
 
 NOMENOLATITRE 20 
 
 Oats Amount of busk .357 
 
 Description of good, how they should 
 
 be prepared 251 
 
 Mixing hominy, the proportion, etc. .. 262 
 Reasons for mixing hominy with them 254 
 "When and how to feed 359 
 
 Old time trotters 321 
 
 PAOK 
 
 Order must be enforced in stable duties.... 117 
 Oriole fel 
 
 Padbocks, How to construct 58 
 
 PiiTsic, Courses of, in the old system of 
 
 training 222 
 
 Danger of 48 
 
 How it acts 223 
 
 How to reduce a horse without phy- 
 sic 228 
 
 Reason for discarding, in training.. . 222 
 
 Prairie, A western 73 
 
 Pulling horses, how remedy the evil 176 
 
 On one rein 180 
 
 On the bit detrimental 246 
 
 Qhality in horses 156 
 
 Qdben Maet 21 
 
 Race, After care, feeding, management, etc. 443 
 
 Care between heats 437 
 
 How to feed, etc., etc 4-35 
 
 Morning at 441 
 
 Never Mind's first race, description of 
 
 it 437 
 
 Preparation for a 4.35 
 
 Rarby's plan of breaking will not always do 86 
 
 Respiration 261 
 
 Roadster, The model for a 387 
 
 Rubbers, Qualification for good 109 
 
 Benefit of encouraging them to 
 
 read 109 
 
 Rubbing cloths, best material for Ill 
 
 Rules for the stable 108 
 
 Running, The sound made by horses' feet 
 
 when running 204 
 
 Rysdtk's Hambletonian, Pedigree of. 804 
 
 Sago, Its uses 359 
 
 Seasoning 269 
 
 Shakspere's description of a race-horse 140 
 
 Shoeing, Advantages of a swedged rim 96 
 
 Difference of for various horses.. . 95 
 Efl'ects of weight on the action.... 98 
 
 Form of the shoe, swedging 94 
 
 How the foot should be pared 97 
 
 Lockjaw from bad shoeing 104 
 
 Manner of weighting to avoid hit- 
 ting the knee . . 99 
 
 Plan of nailing, laow to "clinch.".. 94 
 
 Shoe for the hind foot 95 
 
 Shoes and plates 98 
 
 Sole should not be cut 97 
 
 Singular instance of lameness from 
 
 a"" split na;i." 220 
 
 Silver Lake, Pa., Description of 190 
 
 Skin, How exudation takes place 262 
 
 Skewers, How they should be made, their 
 
 uses, etc .' Ill 
 
 Smoking not to be tolerated in the stable 81 
 
 Speed ensures bottom 141 
 
 " Sponging out" 873 
 
 Stable, Arrangement of the horses in the 
 
 "Trial Stable" 106 
 
 Furniture, rules, etc 108 
 
 How it should look, location, etc 50 
 
 Interior arrangements for twenty 
 
 horses 131 
 
 Management 105 
 
 Octagonal 133 
 
 Plan for a training stable. 130 
 
462 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 srABLK Tricks: crib-biting, weaving, pining, 
 
 etc 157-159 
 
 8 CALLION, Selection of, fur breeding farm 70 
 
 Teacliing him to trot 71 
 
 The best color for a 57 
 
 Tile proper stallion to breed from. 56 
 
 Stalls, Arrangement of equipments 107 
 
 STi.NinLANTS between heats 3<i9 
 
 Stony Ford, breeding farm 325 
 
 Stride, lieasons for a falling off. . .' 411 
 
 '■Strides," Advantage of measuring 405 
 
 Style 172 
 
 Sweating, Appearance after, 299 
 
 Between heats 273 
 
 Change in the appearance of the 
 
 sweat 262 
 
 Design of the first sweats 115 
 
 Difference of, between colts and 
 
 aged horses 291 
 
 Dissertation on 258 
 
 Effects on the skin 262 
 
 Effects on the blood 263 
 
 Horses may be too hot to sweat. . 274 
 
 How to clothe 296 
 
 How to feed the night previous.. 269 
 
 Injury to the loins from 267 
 
 Its effect on tiie respiratory organs 259 
 
 Local effect of 266 
 
 Mash previous to sweating, how 
 
 to make it 291 
 
 Motion of the lungs and heart. . . . 260 
 Necessity for, and how to induce. 273 
 
 Of Never Mind, the first one 296 
 
 Preparation for and care after, 
 
 necessary 117 
 
 Purification of the skin from 287 
 
 Eace lost by horse not sweating.. 275 
 Reasons for tlie system followed, 300 
 Recommendation of the plan 
 
 given 260 
 
 Scraping and rubbing dry 297 
 
 The benefits of, on the internal 
 
 economy 263 
 
 The benefits of, to the muscles. . . 265 
 
 The proper clothing for 115 
 
 Time fur, repetition of, etc 268 
 
 Walk alter the sweat 299 
 
 Walk before 295 
 
 With hot air ; Black Maria's race 289 
 Work the day after 384 
 
 Tbbth, How to remedy their cutting the lips. 173 
 
 Tkmpbu, a horse takes his cue from the driver 233 
 
 Importance of docility 83 
 
 PAfiR 
 
 Theory of breeding 396 
 
 Throat irritation taken for heaveB. ...,,.,. 19 
 Tracks, The narrow track an advantage in 
 
 training 79 
 
 Best form, undulations, etc 79 
 
 Proper soil for 80 
 
 The disadvantages of half a mile ... 79 
 Trainers, Benefits of a liberal education.. .. 219 
 
 Perplexities of 331 
 
 Training, Effects of bad weather 333 
 
 Intention of, definition, etc 183 
 
 Oats, hominy, corn and beans in.. 2'^4 
 
 Old method of 91 
 
 Physic 22;i 
 
 Retrospect of first part 18-3 
 
 The necessity for patience in 42 
 
 Water in, soft and hard, etc 371 
 
 Treatment of the horses in the first stage of 
 
 training 137 
 
 Trials 417 
 
 Trotter, How to feed before a trial 418 
 
 The proper form for a 388 
 
 Trotters, Different blood, of what families. 308 
 
 Necessity for " blood" in 48 
 
 Trotting, How a horse moves his feet when 
 
 trotting 20;^ 
 
 On the ice 235 
 
 Track ; construction of 16^165 
 
 Veins and arteries 263 
 
 Prominence of, in the thoroughbred.. 287 
 Superficial, and their uses 287 
 
 Walk before the sweat 320 
 
 Walking at the commencement of training. 93 
 
 Can be prolonged too much . 185 
 
 Effects of, change of location 92 
 
 E.xercise, time occupied in the first 
 
 stage 1"7 
 
 Importance of 92 
 
 Old plan of walking horses 91 
 
 Proper clothing during walking 
 
 exercise 92 
 
 Wallowing Bed, advantages of 295 
 
 Water, Regulating the amount given 376 
 
 Watering after driving. 362 
 
 Western stables 51 
 
 Wet bandages, when they should be worn. 113 
 
 Winter-quarters for a trotter 48,49 
 
 Wintering, How to winter a trotter 48,49 
 
 Women, trees and horses 156 
 
 Work, Importance of regularity, change of 
 
 location, etc 2.^.6 
 
 In the mud, how to protect the horse. 419