SPORTSMAN 65 



the groom did start very early in the morning, — 

 say four o'clock, — and in the hunting season there 

 is much doubt whether he would start so soon by 

 two hours probably, so that the horse has often 

 no time to get fresh. All that can be said is, 

 that this practice is penny wise and pound foolish. 



So in respect to riding a hunter home, probably 

 twenty or twenty-five miles or more, after a hard 

 day's work with hounds. Let the day be ever so 

 severe, some men insist on it their horse will not 

 rest so well in any stable as his own, which is 

 against all reason. If there is good accommoda- 

 tion, he does an unwise thing who risks the chance 

 of taking his horse home in preference. The best 

 thing he can do, if the horse is distressed, is to 

 have about two or three quarts of blood taken 

 from him, see that he has some gruel and is properly 

 taken care of, then go home if necessary, and send 

 for him next day, or let the groom return by the 

 same conveyance. 



A good substitute for oatmeal is wheat flour, a 

 pint or two of which, mixed with half a pail of 

 warm water, can be had for sixpence at any cottage ; 

 and it would be no bad plan always to give it to 

 your horse after a run, on his way home. 



Many men breed their own horses, and ought 

 always to have the most perfect hunters, even 

 before the horses have ever seen a hound, or have 



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