144 PUTTING INTO CONDITION. 



of June, or early part of July, will be judiciously 

 chosen as the most proper season, during which 

 time the grain should be decreased nearly one 

 half, and the exercise never exceed a trot. The 

 hunter can have his in August, September, and 

 October, when the grass is long and rich, and 

 the boar allowed to rest ; very little being given 

 during the months he is hunted. Green grass 

 at coming in, during the first fall of the rains, 

 is very weak and washy ; but lucern, kept half 

 buried in water, is equally good throughout the 

 year. 



To retain a horse, then, in hunting or hard- 

 working condition, he must be kept chiefly on 

 hard food : he should have a three-mile gentle 

 canter every other day, and always be exercised, 

 mounted, every morning and evening. If wanted 

 after breakfast, allow but little water after finish- 

 ing his morning's grain, and less grass, so that 

 he may go out with both stomach and bowels 

 tolerably empty. Feed and water in moderation 

 (a gallon of water and a seer of ground grain? 

 with a mouthful of grass, will be moderation,) 

 if you halt to take your own tiffin ; give first 

 a small cordial drink, if the least fatigue is ap- 

 parent ; and, even whilst hunting, always allow 

 two or three go-downs of water at any river 

 or tank, if he thirsts for it.; this little will not 



