The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-10-20
How Racing Horses are Trained.

How Racing Horses are Trained.
by racing, in the proper accepta-
lion of the term. is meant a trial OF
spced between running horses.
Mstch-irotting, although more in
vogue in this country, is less init
matciy connected with the science of
breeding horses, which it is one of
the objects of this work TO discuss.
With the moral bearing of tho sub
jcct of horse racing We have nothing
TO do. 1t is used as means for i'm
growing the breed of horses, and this
result is certainly attained, Tor tlere
can be no doubt that more capital is
devoted and more attention given,
10 the raising of thoroughbred horses
than could be expected to take this
channel if no such rcInuBcratiyc
market existed. 1t is true tina. the
thoroughbred horses frequently of
but very li:tle practical use for any
tling but racing and breeding, but as
a gcI:er of horses for all kinds Ordi-
nary work, whether for the saddle or
li9aUtss, Is hot OIlt
but almost Indispensable, since with
out Li,n we could not have for any
kiud of work 50 good an animal as il
j. possible 10 get by au infusion OF
thorough blood. Eren if it were
probable that thoroughbred horses
would be, no means for aScertaining
which of them was the best for
transmitting 10 the important quail
lies of speed and bottom (or cndur-
ance); no other test would SO fully
make known these qualities.
Training iSicbtCS arc necessarily
located near good piece Of ground
upon which 10 train the horses.
This should be, If possible, of such a |
character that it viii never get either |
very soft j.. wet, nor very hard in dry |
weather. A piece of deem old turf,
on land which is thoroughly well
drained, either naturally or artificial
IL, is best for the purpose. TIE STA
hies themselves should be roomy,
and well ventilated and it is desire
able to have them rather dark than
light. as the horses get tie necessary
amount of light in taking their eXer-
cisc, and as they will be more ready
TO take their feed, and TO rest them
selves after hard work, in tolerably
dark stables. The best form for the
Stable is probably compromise be-
tween stalls and loose boxes which
keep their inmates entirely secluded
that is, lasge stalls, about ten feet
in length and six in width, closed al
the rear with door which can be
locked, when it is desirable to allow
the horse to move about at pleasure
in his apartment, and boarded up
only 10 height of six feet; the re-
manning space, from the top to the
ceiling, which should be from ten to
twelve feet from the door, being sup
piled with iron bars, which will
allow the horses to see each other;
and which will make the stable gen
orally warmer in winter, and allow
a better circulation of air in summer.
a cheap arrangement of shutters, to
entirely close up the barred space,
will confime the heat TO the stables
which are occupied. "
Training establishments are usual
" supplied with saddles, of various
forms. weights, and size; brides,
bits, ui every form; rollers, straps,
knoc-caps and boots, and clothing in
every conceivable variety; also with
the simpler remedies for the ordi-
nary ailn.cut OF horses in training.
Before the training commences the
horse should be examined as 10 lis
health, form and temper, as well as
10 his pedigree. This examination
is one of the most responsible duties
of The trainer, ard its object is 10 put
him In posScssion of "a many facts
As possible "a 20 the points OF strength
and weakness of the horse, whether
acquired or inherited. by the de-
AUCTIONS thcrefrom made, he decides
in what way il is best 10 treat his
subject SO is 20 dcyclopc his pow
CTS. with the least risk of injuriug
his health or disposition. The aver
arc length OF time required for
,r.jnipr is about six months, during
which the horse undCrgocs three diff
fcrcnt stages of treatment, the object
b ,iny 20 remove ali unnecessary tat !
Z en- tie external and Internal parts i
Of the body TO put the heart and lungs =
i'm the best condition for the per- Q
formapce of their functions, and TO 8
rive. bv moans of exercise and nu-
ritions food. the greatest possible
amount Of strength and endurance. 4
The first preparation, as far as eX- n
.rcise is concerned, consists mainly !,
If walking, which removes excess of 81
at. and gives hardness aud enfur-
.ncc 10 the legs. After it has been 7.
for from two 10 four il
weeks. according TO the condition OF
Ehich is given by gallOping him
under heavy clothing; 1,
( il he desirable TO greatly reduce e.
nv rart of the body in particular, c.
Is. for instance, the neck or should
,rs, these parts are mole heavily lad E.
N with blankets than the rest of the
body. In. mediately after the pers
piration has begun to flow freely, the
horse should be well scraped, and T,
then rubbed dry, by four boys work b:
ing rs raridly as possible. During I;
the first prcraration an occasional -
slci, gallon is allowed, TO vary the II
of the work, but it must be ie
only very gentle one; and toward G.
the last these may be somewhat in
creased, if tie horse is evidently in
to bear the extra wcr <
without being put back in his tra a. T
ing. The sweats are continue 4 at
Intervals during the whole tine of /,
the first preparation, this ate omsir- &
ing decided by the trainer from the I
knowledge OF tue chara ,cter Of the
horse. Light doses of rnysic are also :.
be required.
During the second preparation, the
leu leu; WHICH was eight quarts of oat
p per DAY at hrst, is raised to ten quarts :;
,ho swat, sMGals are more frequent az d
,re saIlopS gre more frequent a I'd