272 THE HORSE. 
article, as more than this is apt to fill the horse out in the middle of the 
day. ‘Towards the end of this period, which may extend to five or six 
weeks, the horse gradually gets into high condition, and at any time, ona 
day’s notice, he may be ready for the hunting-field. All that is required 
is to give him no hay on that morning, but to feed him twice on his usual 
allowance of corn, with a few go-downs of water only each time. The 
hunter does not require to be “set” overnight, like the racehorse, and he 
may advantageously be given his usual weight of hay at the bedding him 
up the night before; but if he has any tendency to eat his litter, it is 
prudent at all times, but more especially then, to put a muzzle on him 
late at night, when he has eaten his hay. 
Hacks aNnp Harness-HORSES demand nearly as much time and care to 
prepare them for their work, especially in relation to the amount of corn 
which is allowed them. They seldom want so much as five quarterns daily ; 
but whatever quantity they may require, it should not be given them until 
they are gradually accustomed to its use. So also with regard to the 
hammering of their feet and legs on the road, it will be found that these 
demand seasoning as much as their wind and museles. If this is not 
attended to, the best formed legs and feet will become inflamed, and a 
valuable horse may be lamed, when, with proper care, he might be made 
to do his work with ease. Our own bodies, when untrained to bear the 
blows of the fist, show the marks of the glove clearly enough ; but in the 
course of time, when the skin has gradually become inured to the stimulus, 
even the terrible right hand of Tom Sayers would fail to leave its mark 
upon the ribs of a well-trained opponent. ‘This difference in the result of 
the application of physical force arises partly from the tendency to inflam- 
mation being subdued by temperate living and abundant exercise, and partly 
from the nerves and vessels of the skin becoming habituated to the blows 
which they receive. So also with the hack and harness-horse; when first 
they are brought into the stable, their vessels are full of gross humours, 
and their feet and legs have long been accustomed only to the soft and 
elastic turf upon which they have been reared. They are, therefore, 
prone to inflammation in every way; and until their systems have been 
hardened by plenty of exercise, and their legs and feet have been gradually 
inured to our hard roads, they should be kept from every kind of 
fast work. 
TREATMENT AFTER WORK. 
AFTER WORK the horse requires to be treated according to its nature 
and the extent to which it has been carried. Thus the hunter may 
demand remedies for exhaustion, blows on the legs, thorns in the legs, 
overreaches, cuts, &c.; but the hack and carriage-horse will only need the 
ordinary grooming, which has been described at page 242; that is to say, 
provided the feet are not in pain from ill-fitting shoes. 
EXHAUSTION is sometimes so great that before any food can be taken a 
cordial must be given, in the shape either of a warm ball, or a quart cf 
warm spiced ale. Generally, however, some gruel, made according to the 
directions given at page 225, will suffice, when aided by a warm box and 
the other comforts which are afforded by the groom, including dressing, 
clothing, bandaging, &c. 
Buows on the legs are reduced by hot fomentations, continued for half au 
hour at a time, and repeated at intervals of one, two, or three hours, in propor 
tion to the severity of the mischief. Cold applications are too apt to relieve 
