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OWNERS OFTEN INTERFERE Owners ideas as to how horses should be treated in races often mean trouble for those who train them. Some horses do not require either whip or spur, but with others the use of both is necessary. Touching on this an English writer cites the case of the late James Ryan, a well-known Newmarket trainer, who, among other important winners, prepared Springfield, says that the late Mr. H. J. Houldsworth, for whom Ryan trained nearly fifty years, was opposed to both whip and spur. In consequence some of Mr. Houldsworths horses simply loafed in their races; and then, when they went into other ownership, where punishment was not barred, showed vastly improved form. This occasionally caused Ryans ability as a trainer o be questioned by those who were unaware of the disadvantage under which he labored in having to treat all Mr. Houldsworths horses in the same fashion, whether they were sluggards or free goers.
