Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-01-10
: RACERS IN WINTER QUARTERS,
cated for as Though Folded Away In Layen
..' der and Tissue Paper. -

"And what, Mr.. Scott do you do
with the pretty creatures in winter?"
once asked dainty dame of the fa-
nous Yorkshire trainer, as she patted
the arching neck of fayorite $4,000
yearfng. :! ~ -
"Fold 'em up in tissue paper and Law
ender 'em, ma'am, so as the moths
can't get at them," grufly replied the
"Wizard of the North" who strongly
resented the unauthorized intrusion of
ladies within the sacred precincts OF
the training stables.
Although it is, Of course, unnecessary
to explain that the above quoted an
swer is to be taken literally, 1t is o
fact, nevertheless, that it contains q
solid substratum of truth. The mod
ern race horse is q dainty and delicate
animal, and unremitting care and at
tention have to be layished upon him
at all times. But during the winter
months, owing to the vagaries of our
streacherous and constantly changing
climate, these extraordinary precau.
tions have tor be. redoubled. ri;'9 ~
The day, in a racing stable, during
the off season, begins ut s q. M, at
which hour the huge. alarm clock
which. custom DEGREES shall. invariably
be kept III the head "lad's'' bedroom,
|.incontinently "goes OFF, The horses
know, the. sound. There is q flatter.
q rippling rustle,. the ringing of steel
against steel, mufaed neigh or two
from theiinterior of the long raLZes OF
buildings, followed by the appearance
of troops of sleepy men and boys. Zen
minutes later all is hustle and anima-
tion. a..
With the first faint streak Of, dawn
comes breakfast after which. the
iemorning horses" are taken out for e1.
erclse. They are kept out about three
houre-from 8 till II. The afternoon"
horses 20 out from 2 till 4, and imme-
diately on their return begins the gen;
erel Cleanup" anticipatory Of the
( trainer daily visit. Each and every
animal is Groomed and rubbed and
polished, until from car to hoef he Is
as clean ,as the ,roS erbialli new pin.
Special attention is given to; the, legs
and feet. The former are industri-
lsouslE: hand rubbed with the object OF
slmparting q good, healthy glow to the
extremities. The latter; are tarred or
yaselined, as the case may be, and the
shoes" "buff-stlcked'' and FURNISHED TIL
they shine like silver. ~ ..I
+ Soon after 5 the mighty magnate for
whose benefit all these preparations are
made puts in On appearance, accom-
panied, like general officer on parade,
by his troop Of attendant satellites
Unless something very unusual Is in
| the wind" or n horse happens to be In
disposed, the inspection does not occu'
spy more than ten or fifteen minutes ct
the outside.
Ifshe has the slightest shadow of o
doubt he will verify matters by pass
ing a. white handkerchief over the
glossy skin, taking care to rub the coat
the wrong way, or he will insert the
fo-efnger of glove, inside the suspect.
ed animaPs ear. Woe betide the groom
responsible for that particular horse If
the canbrIc or the kid, as the case may
be, is not as spotless after this ordeal
as it was before.
AS soon as the trainer has taken his
departure the animals are finished
that is, they are wBped all over, and
have their legs again well "hand rub
bed" after which they ore bedded
down and left in peace and quietness
untlk the following morning.