TRAINING
.—The process of training horses for the TURF was formerly plain, simple, open, and free from mystery or ambiguity. Circumstances, however, are so altered, and fashions have so changed, that a training-stable exceeds in secrecy the inmost recesses of his Majesty's Councils, upon which the prosperity and peace of so great a nation entirely depend. A training-stable is, in the opinion of those who conduct them, the very summit of earthly dignity and imaginary consequence. The "insolence of office," so emphatically alluded to by our immortal bard, cannot with justice be better applied than to this immaculate mart of integrity, this delectable haven of sublime and unsullied perfection. Those noblemen and gentlemen whose opulence and liberality command respect, are entitled to insure it; but it is frequently and publicly seen upon the common race course, that they are gratefully treated by their own pampered and subordinate harpies, with the most consummate confidence, and upon many occasions (if their own judgments are opposed, or opinions thwarted) with the most contemptuous indifference. Thus it is even with the great and independent, who have no sooner relinquished their horses to the superintendance of others, than they have resigned their free agency also; and it becomes almost a crime to offer an opinion, or to ask a question: the etiquette of professional secresy must by no means be assailed; and it is only as matter of favour, that a man can get a sight of his own horse, or obtain authentic information of the real state of his condition: if the owner (unless he is of the family) presumes to obtrude a question, he will not be so likely to receive an unequivocal answer, as one of the most deminutive stable-boys.
The morality and aggregate of virtues so peculiarly appertaining to the profession, being placed in the back-ground of the picture; admitting in this, as in all others, that there are men of strict honor, and unsullied integrity, who do not deviate from the path of rectitude in private transactions; yet the broad road of temptation is a dangerous track, and very few there are who are able to withstand it. It is a long-standing maxim, that "those who play at bowls must expect rubs:" so those who make the embarkation, must abide the consequence. Certain it is, that the business (or rather art) of TRAINING, was never before brought to its present pitch of perfection; but the expence is (with the collaterals attendant upon it) so enormous, that nothing but an immensity of wealth can stand against it. Training has of late years undergone many changes, and much refinement; but in none more than the early age at which COLTS and FILLIES are brought to the post. Very far within the knowledge of the present generation, no colt was ever taken in hand till he was three years old to be made quiet for breaking; and he was never thought capable of being brought to the post for a racing contest, previous to some part of his fifth year. On the contrary, many are now taken in hand at eighteen months old; some few run a short match before they have attained the second year; more run when rising three: and plates, subscriptions, and sweepstakes, are common for three year olds from one extremity of the kingdom to the other.
This constantly increasing and invincible thirst for racing popularity, by which so many of the finest horses are crippled before they come to their prime, has constituted such a sterility, or drawback, upon the usual supplies for the chase, that the value of even common hunting horses has increased beyond all former example. The present system of training is considered so truly scientific, that one general jealousy is known to prevail amongst its professors of every denomination: the same secresy which pervades one establishment, is, by the spirit of emulation, (or infection,) communicated to every other; and the hour that stimulates one stable lad to action, regulates the rest in every training-stable through the kingdom. The serjeant or corporal's guard in the best disciplined military garrison of his Majesty's dominions, cannot be more precise, more critically exact to time, than the training lads are to stable hours. At the first dawn of day, every somniferous sensation is shaken off, and each is in his stable by the time he has day-light sufficient to brush over his horse: this done, and the quantity of corn he is allowed consumed, the ceremony of exercise is proceeded upon, where his walking, galloping before and after water, take place, in time and distance, according to the age, state of flesh, and his condition; all which are nicely attended to, and his work proceeded upon in proportion. At his return, the dressings, leg rubbing, and every minute part of stable discipline, is regulated to a degree of admiration; when which is completed, the feeding over, and the stable set fair, silence prevails; the door is closed, and firmly secured; the horse being left free from every thing that can possibly afford disturbance; and this as much before six in the morning, as it can be accomplished according to the season of the year. A short ceremony of the same kind takes place about three hours after. Twelve at NOON, regular brushing over, feeding, and setting all fair, again take place; being then once more close locked till FOUR, when the first ceremony of the morning, air, exercise, and water, are again repeated; the regular routine succeeds in the stable, which is closed as near to the hour of six as possible. When the perpetual prompter announces the hour of eight, it is the signal for racking up: this neatly and expeditiously performed, an early hour of rest is the invariable rule, that all parties may be the better enabled to enter upon the business of the morning.
Such is the diurnal ceremony of training; varying the length and speed of the morning gallops by the flesh, wind, substance and condition of the horse; with such intervening Sweats (which see) as circumstances may justify, or render necessary; in all which, training grooms of the best judgment, and most industrious observation, are liable to err. Horses are seen to train on, others to train off; or, in plainer terms, some horses have great speed at three and four years old, who never make a display of any after; and many have made no promise in the first or second year of their running, who afterwards became most capital racers. As a recent instance of this, reference may be made to "Sir Solomon," which see. No small degree of penetration is necessary to ascertain when a horse is trained the nearest to the utmost point of his SPEED; most horses are over trained, and are, of course, the likeliest to be beaten, or lamed, whenever they are brought into competition with a powerful opponent; who, by having been less trained, is more above his work; or, in other words, better adapted to difficulty, and a severe struggle for victory, should it happen to ensue.