STUD BOOK. 55 



horse is provided, entrusted to some groom who knows the 

 country, and brings him to the spot where he is most likely 

 to meet the hounds during the chase, which may be then gen- 

 erally prolonged without distress to either horse. 



The spare horse, however, is not always forthcoming 

 when wanted, for the chase may have taken a contrary direc- 

 tion to that which was expected. Then comes a duty of 

 which the horse will not remind the rider until his strength 

 is rapidly wasting, although the attentive and humane 

 sportsman can scarcely overlook it. His action becomes 

 feeble, the flanks heave convulsively there is a peculiar con- 

 vulsive action of the diaphragm. These will be sufficient in- 

 dications of distress, and no horse should be urged on after 

 he has unequivocally exhibited them. It would be an act of 

 injustice and cruelty for which no excuse can be urged. The 

 administration of some restorative, and leading slow to the 

 nearest stable, are the best alternatives at the moment of 

 distress. 



The training of the hunter for this work is a simple 

 affair. It is, by means of exercise and of physic, getting rid 

 of all superfluous fat and flesh, without debilitating him. 

 The physic is useful, in moderate doses; but the chief thing 

 is gradually to accustom him to the exertion of every power 

 that he possesses, without too much hurrying his breathing, 

 or overstraining him. 



The training of tha race-horse is of a similar character 

 with that of the hunter, but it is far more severe, for his 

 strength, his speed, and his endurance, mus be tested to the 

 utmost The hunter has to carry his rider gallantly and well 

 through perhaps a long burst, and if he tires, and the sports- 

 man has the good sense and humanity to cease to urge him 

 on, the greatest evil is some temporary suffering to him, and 

 disappointment to his master; but if the race-horse breaks 

 down, or if his capabilities have not been accurately calcu- 

 lated, the most serious loss may be sustained. Thence 

 arises the necessity of testing every power in the preparation 

 of the race-horse; and thence, too, it sometimes happens 

 from injudicious management, that young horses break 

 down and become perfectly useless in their training. 



THE SADDLE-HOKSE. 



In point of real utility this is the most valuable of the 

 species, and it is difficult to be met with in perfection, which, 

 of course, includes cheapness as well as ease and safety of 



