xt70gb1xd697 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70gb1xd697/data/mets.xml Simpson, Joseph Cairn. 1868  books b98-47-42334688 English W.A. Townsend & Adams, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Dexter (Race horse) Horses. Horse racing. Horse portraiture  : embracing breeding, rearing, and training trotters, with their management in the stable and on the track, and preparation for races ; including histories of the horse and horsemen ; with an appendix containing the performances of Dexter and a portrait by Scott / by Joseph Cairn Simpson. text Horse portraiture  : embracing breeding, rearing, and training trotters, with their management in the stable and on the track, and preparation for races ; including histories of the horse and horsemen ; with an appendix containing the performances of Dexter and a portrait by Scott / by Joseph Cairn Simpson. 1868 2002 true xt70gb1xd697 section xt70gb1xd697  


            liO It S E







PO RTR AITTUR E:


                   EMBRACING


BREEDING, REARING, AND TRAINING TROTTERS, WITH THEIR MIANAGE-
    MENT IN THE STABLE AND ON THE TRACK, AND PREPARA-
         TION FOR RACES: INCLUDING HISTORIES OF
             THE HORSE AND HORSEMEN.



        WITH AN APPENDIX

PERFORMANCES OF DEXTER AND A PORTRAIT BY SCOTT.




                  BY

      JOSEPH CAIRN SIMPSON.



            NEW YORK:
W. A. TOWNSEND & ADAMIS, PUBLISHERS.

               1 8 a 8.

 






























         Entered, According to Act of Congress, in the year 1567, by
                    W. A. TOWNSENI) & ADANIS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Curt of the United States for the Southern
                          District of New Yoik.



Stereotyped by SMITH & M c)oUGAL, S2 & 84 Beekman St.

 
















                       so

hfnf . J-Li/ES    AA'7, 1iarenport, Iorva;
                      and

.aff. S.     CA, Jry., Chdceio, ZIllnois:


Yhis N'ork is dedicated, in token of the es/teen in

  jshieh they are held by the author, vlho e,-Voys

     their friendship, and has been bene/ited

          by their advice and counsel.

 This page in the original text is blank.

 










INTRODUCTION.



I PRESENT this, 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 literature 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

 
INT ROD UCT IO .



and learn to trot fast, I offer with confidence. The
treatment advised is no pet theory, but the result of
years 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-
mcat 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 I
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 public, 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



2

 INTRO D U C TI ON.



with descriptions of scenery, courses, &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. CAIRN SIMPSON.



BIRD FARM, October, 1867.



,3

 This page in the original text is blank.

 







         SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.




                             CHAPTER I.
                                                                      rVAG
INTBODUCTORY.-Arrival of the "trial stable" ................................ 13


                            CHAPTER II.
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 III.
Poor feeders, probably caused by want of food when young, the stomach never
  recovering from the injlry.-Camnp life.-Smoking.-Old method of travel.
  ing with race horses.-Preceptor examines the Falcon.-Ifis description of
  him.-Finds him nearly his ideal of a model roadster.-Pupil recount3 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.-llistory 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."---MaLnner of handling a horse in a break.-The ap-
  pearalce 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.-
  Pietture of a fine natural situation for a breeding farm.-The kind of stock to
  breed from.-Examples of pedigrees.-Treatineut of the colts, weaning, win-
  ter quarters, food, &c ...................................................... 49


                            CIhtPTER V.
lBree ing farm continued.-Desc ription of the house, and grounds surrounding
it.-Ornamnental planting.-Out buildings.-Yards.-Further treatment of the
colts the first winter.-Brood mares, their quarters, food, and treatnent dur-
ing p;'egnaancy.-The stallion used on the breeding farm.-A western prairie.-
Advantages possessed by Iowa for breeding fine horses ...................... 65

 


CONTENTS.



                            CHAPTER VI.
                                                                       PAGU
History of the colts in the trial stable.-May-da3-Hlirondelle.-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 .... Zt



                           CHAPTER VII.

Remarks abont 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 traihing.-Thc 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.-Thje 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-
  tihgale.-The reasons for wearing a light hind shoe.-Difference 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 ..... .............. 89



                           C'1APTER       VII.

Hot ley to a punctured foot a preventive of lock-jaw.-Importance of stable
  management to forward condition.-Division and arrangement of the horses.-
  Groonuing.- Can be carried too far.-Value of a good groom.--Sweating
  facilitates the removal of the dandruff.-Arrangement of the stalls.-Fur-
  nit aire and necessary articles, and how to take care of them.-Rlules to be ob-
  served by the stablemen.-Qualifieation and encouragement of the boys.-
  Instance of cruelty in a groom-Hair mittens -how   to rub a horse.-
  Material for rubbers-The wisp.-Skewers, and their uses.-B. Adages.-
  Thoroughbreds for trotters.-The use of bandages.-Wiet and dry bandages.-
  When the legs are swollen, how they should be applied-Reasons for enmploying
  wet bandages -How t, apply a bandage.-Uses of, when a horse is at exerese.
  -Benefits of pressure to reduce swelling.-Clotbing.-The quantity to be
  used.-The kind needed for sweating.-Care of the clothing -Decoration.-
  Order and sobriety e seutial 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 " hories.-Thme setting muzzle..... lfli



ni

 


CO NiT E NTS.



Vii



                            CHAPTER IX.
                                                                       PAGb
Indigestion. -Eclipse and Henry.-The epicure.-Speckled trout.-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.-Examiination of the feet.-The horn to be kept
in a proper shape.-Corn as food for colts.-A variety of grain recommended.
-1ligh feeding, prejudices against it.-Instances of lotgevity in thorough-
breds that have been well nurtured.-Anierican 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.-Ilis astonishment at the size of the colts-
  Age of imported lhorses.-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.-Mtalo-ne.-Charmiier.-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 himu.-Bandaging and wet sponges -
  Remedies for swollen legs.-Remarks on walking.-Necessity four 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 mnscles.-Working with colts.-The fight at the quar-
  ter race-Shakespeare's description of the horse of Adonis.-"-pred gives
  bottom."-Symmetry of form a quality of the blood horse.-Colt stakes.-
  Danger of working them on a bard track -Colts playing in a pasture-field
  taking more exercise than would be required to prepare them for a 3 i-i 5 race.
  -Colt races more interesting than those of hackneyed performters.-Starring.
  -lippodroming.-Mercury ...................................... ......... i3b


                            CHAPTER XI.
The importance of good weather for horses to acquire condltiol.-Their work
  sltoul(i be given if the weather is unfavorable.-Iorses cannot be conditioned
  without work.-Directions for working in the mud-Effects of moisture on the
  feet.-Injumry done with the knife and rasp.-Govcrmnertal aid solicited to
  further the improvements of horses.-Argument in favor of a donation by
  Contgress.-The necessity for better horses for military purposes.-General
  Grant at the Illitois State Fair.-Naming a colt.-Quotation front the "EnglisA
  at ffome."-Femahl luveliness, and race horses.-Tre horse and civilization.-
  Stable tricks.-( rib-biting.-Weavin-_.-Pa;wing.- Dislike to go through a
  doorway--Kicking the sides of the stall.-A stall that curebd :, kick .......... 143

 


Viii



CO NTENTS.



                            CHAPTER XII.
                                                                        PAGE
Building a track on the breeding farm.-The form, a parallelogram connected
with selai-circles.-Season 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 hupjborts.-Breaking the colts the fail after
they are a year old-Details of the method employed.-Lessons to be given
before they are pelt in the shafts.-A practical exemplification.-The cruelty
of the old plan of bitting.-Forming a mouth-Allonging.-Breaking the
cheek.-Tie Kemlble 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 XHI.

Bits.-Snaffle.--Bar.-Chain.-TLeather.--Curb.-The snaffle, 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-Thie chain bit can be made very severe.-Pulling horses-Patents for
controlling them.-The only cure is not to pull 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 Keisible 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.-Allonging 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 babit.-Sorenesd
  of the angles of the lips, wash for it.-Contrivance to keep the bit in the lower
  part of the motth.-Plluing on one rein.-Hlarry Hieover's advice.-Callosities.
  -Retrospect of the training-Time to recuperate.-Inertness of the muscles.
  -Food.-Fat forming necessary.-Walking exercise.-Roman bath.-Direc-
  tions for workin.g the colts, &c .........................1 .................. .T5



                           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 bim.-Instructions for working-
  Difference between the track and road.-Never Mind is harnessed.-A habit
  of backing.-HIow 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
  io: se to pick grass.-Van Leer's method.-May-day, her form and action-
  Tine LAt of her hocks and hind legs influencing her gait.-Cutting between
  the cooronet and lipper pastern joint.-flow to reum dy it-The way a horse
  soo.i- ea his feet in the) trot and gallop.-Speedy cst.-Dehlle.-es votsle6s. . . 1S9

 


CONTENTS.



ix



                            CHAPTER XV.
                                                                        PAGZ
Preceptor relates his manner of life in the country-Description of Mr. P-
  and his daughters .......................................................... 207


                           CHAPTER XVI.
Oriole and 31avourneen.-A sylvan picture.-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 manner of walking-The probable cause.-The necessity for sweating
  bim.-Comimencement of his preparation for the sweat.-Physic.-Rieasons for
  not uising it.-Ilow it acts.-Lassitude following it.-Hlow to get ridl of super-
  fluous matter without purges.-The more a horse eats the more work he will
  require.-The study of llippopathology._P.Reniedy for looseness of the bowels.
  Colts scouring.-A homoeopathic prescription.-Cruelty of quacks ............ 21T


                           CHAPTER XVII.
Harnessing.-lhow 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.-iIorses pulling when scoring.-The advantage of "get-
  ting away from the score" well.-Remarks about driving Jane.-Governing the
  teniper.-A moment of passion may render nugatory the teaching of weeks.-
  Messenger blood in Maine.-Driving on the ice.I-low to shoe for ice driving.
  -Care of horses when driven in the winter. -Trotting on the Chicago river.-
  An exciting race.-" A runaway" ............................................ 229

                          CHAPTER XVIII.
The after-dinner smnoke.-Further remarks on the martingale.-Ilarry Ifleover's
and Carl Benson's views.-Rtnning and standing martingales.-Importance of
the first lessons-Pulling horses, and those that are easily driven.-Fasgion.-
Miss Foote.-Launicelot.- Blinders.-TThe proper adjustment of bridles.-
Cleaning and preparation of feed.-Mixing hominy and oats.-lIorse conimis-
sary department.-Oats, hominy, corn, and bran.-Oat-'ieal and sago.-The
amount of bran on oats, barley, and wheat.-The effects of corn on " washy
horses ................................................... ............... 24


                           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.-lIorses 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.-i'owers of
  ree uperation.-The diaphragm.-Fat within the chest.-Hlow fat impedes the
  action of the beart.-Change in the blood.-Its passage to the extremities-
  3etting rid of the watery particles.-Oily matter in the perspiration.-.ub-
  traction of the fatty globules probably makes the blood easier to propel.
  Rhythm of the pulse and step-Lungs, heart, muscles, and digestive organa,

 



CO NTE XTS.



                                                                       PAOa
 all benefited by juadicious sweat ing.- Expa:sion of the chest. - Intercostal
 mnscles.-Modificationg of sweating- Injury to the lungs permanent.- Fat,
 where deposited.-Change in the muscles from work.-Roman bath.-lncrease
 in the size of the muscles as the fat is wasted-The local effects of sweat-
 ingr-Illnstrations.-Benefit of a well shaped neck.-Strain of the loin.-In-
 terval between the sweats.-" Drawing" a horse.-Long and short races.-
 Seasoning.-Efects of scoring.-Inducing perspiration between heats.-How
 to induce perspiration.-3lanner of clotbing.-A race where the favorite was
 beaten, probably owing to suppressed perspiration ...... ..................... 256

                           CHAPTER XX.

An adventure in St. Louis.-Intricacies of sweatinig.-Decarbonization of the
blood through the pores of the skin.-Pnrifying the skin.-Constant grooming
produces soreness.- Dandrnff.-The effects of sweating on the skin.-The
veins of the thoroughbred prominent and large.-Insensible perspiration.-
Bblck 'Maria.-Mr. Stevens' training stahle.-Advantages of scales to weigh
horses aftcr the sweats-laney's Maria.-Improvennent in tracks, horses, and
training-Difference between sweating colts anid old ]orses.-Not so necessary
to rediue colts.-Mlasb previous to sweati!og.-lHow to make it.-Remarks on
drivin, and shoei:ng May-day.-Directions for feeding Never Mind the night
be fore the sweat .................. ....... I ............................... 280


                           CHAPTER XXI.

The morning of the sweat.-Temperature.-Thc management when postponed -
  Mulzzling. - Bedding.-Other material than straw.-Advasitages of sand.-
  " Wallowing bed."-Never Mind's walk. - Thne preparation. - Itow lie was
  elothbed-Gnards against injuring bimself.-low to prepare the drink.-The
  work he received.-Management in the stable.-Inducing a free flow of
  pesrspiranion.-How to prolong it, and when to stop.-Scraping and rntbbing.-
  Adjustment of the clonhes.-P.estriction in his drink, and the reasons for it.-
  The walk after the sweat.-Illis appearance, final care, and how to feed.-
  Reasons for puitting addittonnal clothing on. when first brought unito the statle.
  -The manner of sweating wrill vary as tie prn-par.ation proceeds.-Dr ivingJane.
  -Bireediung trotters.-The teachings of the past.-Messenger.-George Wilkes,
  ) xt er. ant General Bnntler.-The Pilot fannnilv.-Andrew .Jackson.-,Jtpiter.-
  I:vsdvks Ilatnnbletonian.-Talnilar pedigree.-Ilis in-breeding.-liambletonian,'s
  Andrw Jackson and One Eve.-Crosses of Messenger in the Falcon.-The
  Ilainbleltoniatn, and Anmerican Star cross.-Cassius M. (,lay.-Geo. 1. Platchen.
  -Win. T. Porters de-scription of Abdallah.-Mr. Morris' certificate of the
  bl,)od of Mambrino.-Ariel, her exploits.-Tabinlar pu digree showing- her in-
  breedinrg to Messenger .  ......................................... 294

                          CHAPTER XXI.

Danger of smoking in the stable.-Care of Never Mlind.-Loose boxes and stalls.
-h1orses should not be distnnrbed.-Injury to the elbow while lying doimn-
Remedfies.-(,narles Lannnb.-Quotation from the Turf Rcfis14er about Mes-
senrer-Partial nistory of him.-lDissemination of blood in the N'orth-east.-
Trotters of the olden time -Paul Pry.-Further consideration of tine Mles-
  senger blood. -Goldsmith mare.-Alajor Winfieln.-Sqnnire BiRiglla.1e.-Str
  Archy.-Planet.-Bonnie Sentland.-Horse Heraldry ...........1. ......2..... :l



x

 


eCO NTE NT S.



xi



                         CHAPTER XXII.
                                                                      PAGE
Pedigree copied from an advertisement.-The importance of the weather in
training operations.-A "green horse."-Pleasure and disappointment.-Train.
er wrongfully blamned-Jealousy.-The work the day after the sweat.-Signs
showing that 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.-Changilig the ground surfiace 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-drcams.-Scotch character.-An old nurse.-The food of horses in training.
IIay.-Corn blades.-Straw.-The best hay.-HLow to determine it.-The tiihe
to cut.-Mowburnt hay.-Corn blades, their advantages, and how to feed
them.-Effict 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 hay.-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
"haked."--Nunher 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 Miiid....................... ...................................... 344


                          CIJAPTER XXV.
Letter from Chicago.-Pupil recounts the work lie has given the horses in the
absence of the Preceptor.-Driving when the rattles are worn.-KIee action
increased by driving on sandy roads.-Effects of snow on colts.-Alloinginig.-
Sherry wine between heats.-Wlhen it slhoh'ld be given.-Water.-Rlhiii, river,
and spring water.-Danger of change of water.-aring.-Temperature.-
Acidulating-Liglht feeders to be enlourag-d to drink.-The amount to be
givert-Frequellcy of watering.-Griiel.-Sponging mouth and nostrikl-The
difference in sweating the Falcon, and Never Mind.-Sweating Jane.-Iiistruc-
tions for driving.-The work for the next two weeks.-Minute directions for
the management for that periol-Capacity of swallowing .................... 36:3


                         CIHAPTER XXVI.
Cutting the quarters.-Ilow to dress the wound.-Horses should not go out too
early in the morning.-Preceptor examines the Falcon.-Remarks on his e.ndi-
tion.-llov to judge of a horse being in order-The appearance of horses
'!-i iln condition.-Piipil gives a history ,f the work the horses have hid for
the past three weeks.-Preceptor's couninents.-Errors il Pupil s management
of Never 3iind.--The benefit of trottingg hor.4,s in races to furthuer their condi-

 


xii



CONTENTS.



  tion.-The Preceptor's ideas of the best form for a model roadster.-" Points,"
  and why a particular form gives superiority.-Nerve force.-IIow to detect it.-
  Action.-The natural action a horse should have to make a trotter.-Long and
  short horses.-Driving colts.-Flow they ought to be worked, sweated, &c ... 378


                          CHAPTER XXVII.
Walking in the dew.-Hoof oiutments.-Cracked heels.-How to dress them.-
  Glycerine, and its nses.-Drtving the Falcon, with instructions from the Pre-
  ceptor.-Carc after the drive, and how he is to be treated in the future.-The
  race, the best school to teach horses to trot.-How  to manage a " dark
  horse."-Thle work of Never Mind.-low to drive him to keep him off 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 off in speed.-May's trial.-
  Necessity for f:urther care that she does not strike her pastern.-Skill more
  effhctual ill managing a horse than physical strength.-Running away.-The
  order horses should be in whe n commencing a campaign ..................... 400


                         CHAPTER XXVIII.
Tri: .--   ther and track favorable for making fast time.-The way the horses
  r Iprepelled for the trial.-rhe Preceptor reconimands changes.-Time re-
  qriled for digestion--Clipper's l-gs.-Symptonms of "breaking down."-Ef-
  fi cts of weight.-Qualifications of a driver.-Trial of the Falcon.-Directions
  fur driving-I)iffoence in the appearance of the sweat.-Instructions for driv-
  i i,, Never Iuild.-lis first inile.-S!!raping him on the track, and the reasons
  for doing so.-How to drive him in the repent-The time made.-lfis dis-
  tres.-sHow to recover hiin-'rhe after car .-Preceptor's instructions how to
  feed, work, &c., till the tnornii-g of the race ....... ......................... 416


                           CHAPTER XXIX.
Never 'Mind, trots in a race.-Minute instructions for driving.-Management 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 hard race.-Boots, &c ............................................... 430




                              APPENDIX.

Dexter.-His Measurement and Description .................................. 446

 








    HORSE PORTRAITURE.




                 CHAPTER I.
     INTRODUCTORY-ARRIVAL 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 myself
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 telling 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,

 

4HORSE PORTRAITURE.



telling you what is not apparent, history, pedigree, con-
stitution, tricks, &c.
  PREcEPToR.-WYhen 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 opportunity, for
I should judge, from the looks of your string, that you
had nearly a specimen brick of all kinds, and I will wager
a dozen of wine that I can give a good guess at their
different natural qualities. What they have acquired
from bad teethings 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