161 ON THE STABLE, 



the muscles are so much exhausted of their in- 

 terstitial fat and fluids, as to become extremely- 

 rigid, and, in some measure, inelastic, in which 

 state the animal does not acquire a perfect use 

 of them until the circulation of the blood has 

 been increased by motion. This, therefore, 

 shews that a horse may be galloped off his 

 speed, or, in other words, become slower in his 

 pace the longer he is trained. It is usual to put 

 race-horses on tlie muzzle for several hours be- 

 fore they run a race, to prevent them from 

 lining their stomachs. It would certainly be 

 improper to start a horse with a full belly; but, 

 on the other hand, great debility must be pro- 

 duced from obliging him to fast for an unrea- 

 sonable length of time. The same plan is pur- 

 sued with hunters on the hunting days, particu- 

 larly with regard to the allowance of water. 

 But when it is recollected that a hunter sets out 

 in the morning with nearly an empty stomach, 

 and is frequently ridden for seven or eight 

 hours without baiting, it cannot be rational to 



suppose 



