EXERCISE. 85 



neighbourhood up to the end of May. In June a newly-niown grass field 

 can always be obtained, the soil of which, having been protected from the 

 sun, will be soft for at least a month after. Some other field, which may 

 have been mown later, will probably bring us to the beginning of August. 

 About this time a new stubble is generally available, and makes good 

 exercising ground. 



If, however, in any particular locality it be impossible to find suitable 

 fields, it is better to make artificially an exercising ground rather than 

 run any risk of the horses being insufficiently prepared. 



148. Artificial exercising ground. 



Good exercising ground may be made at no great expense. The first 

 essential of course is drainage, both, because all ground on which water 

 has lain becomes very hard when dry ; and because a dry sound bottom 

 is essential to the preservation of the tan, litter, or whatever material 

 may be used as the basis of the artificial ride. 



Economy in the cost in the particular locality will necessarily regulate 

 the choice of the material used in forming the ride. A circle of about 

 four hundred yards will be sufficient. 



149. Temporary ride during a frost. 



During a frost a temporary ride sufficient to trot horses round may 

 always be formed by means of refuse litter from the dung heap. 



150. Expense of keeping Jwrses up through the summer. 



Lastly, as regards the expense of keeping hunters up through the 

 summer. The owner of a large stud may say, " I have too many horses 

 to be able to work them through the summer, and it would cost a fortune 

 to feed them high and keep servants to groom and exercise them." 



Our answer is very short. " Keep fewer." It is better to have six 

 horses that can go, than a dozen that can't go ; and not only is it better 

 in point of enjoyment, but it is also cheaper. 



151. Size of stud required for hunting. 



A good horse in good condition ought to go three days a fortnight 

 with hounds in most countries. At this rate only four horses would be 

 required to hunt six days a week. Accidents, however, and illnesses will 

 occur, and it is necessary to make allowances for these ; though much 

 fewer accidents will occur with horses thoroughly in work than with 

 others, and illnesses with good stable management ought to be very rare. 



Making all allowances, six hunters and perhaps a hack, if the distances 

 to cover are great, ought to see a hard-riding man through six days a 

 week from the beginning to the end of the season. 



If the owner wishes to have a second horse out every day, it may be 

 necessary to add two more to the above number. Masters of hounds, we 

 may observe, very seldom keep more than the above proportion of horses 



