Exercise. 271 



were less of hothouses, and the great proprietors of Horijcs, >vho 

 wish to recruit them and bring them about after unusually severe 

 work, would indulge them wi(h voluntary motion, and give them 

 the opportunity of breathing pure air; sheltering (hem, in very se- 

 vere weather, from the inclemency of the elements, in spaciouM 

 roomy out-houses, and allowing them, at the same time, 

 plenty of nutritious food; the greater part of the evils which I have 

 described, would be avoided, and the object which they have in view 

 xvould, not only be more effectually, but, more speedily obtained. 



Now, of all the different kinds of exercise, or rather labour, 

 which Horses undergo; that from an excess of which, they are most 

 apt to die, is hunting. For as to racing, though whilst the race 

 lasts, the muscular exertions are more severe, than from hunting, 

 yet, they are, comparatively, soon over ; and therefore the most 

 violently-contested races, are hardly ever known to be attended with 

 fatal effects. Not so, however, with hunting; for, chases of extraordi-, 

 nary length and swiftness, have not only proved immediately fatal to 

 many Horses, which have been known to drop down dead in the field, 

 but, it has often happened that several have been attacked with in- 

 llammations so formidable, that they did not eventually recover, or at 

 best, they never completely got rid of the effects of these prodigious 

 exertions. But, it happens, too often, that the fatal consequences 

 which succeed these severe runs, deserve rather to be attributed to 

 the after-management of the Horse, than to the severity of the chase. 

 For, if he be treated upon the plan which I have so much reprobated, 

 under the notion that he is to be cheered and nourished thereby, he 

 will, almost to a certainty, fall a sacrifice to the endeavours, that are 

 qaade to relieve him. In all cases, therefore, after severe exercise, 



