CHAPTER VII. 



STABLE MANAGEMENT 



FEW things connected with hunting would excite 

 the admiration of our sporting forefathers more 

 than the care which we take of our horses at the end 

 of the century by providing them with healthy and 

 luxurious stabling. In 1800 the science of sanitation 

 was in its infancy, both in regard to man and beast. 

 An ill-drained, ill-ventilated, ill-lighted barn was con- 

 sidered a good enough home for the average hunter. 

 Many of these erections, I am sorry to say, are still 

 in existence, though experience has shown that they 

 are but hot-beds of disease, so far as thoroughbreds 

 are concerned. It must be remembered that it was 

 not till the last thirty years that thoroughbreds were 

 common in the hunting field, and a thoroughbred is 

 more delicate in his requirements than a half-bred. 

 But I may state at once before going into detail that 

 there should be no superfluous ornaments in a stable, 

 and that all the fittings should be as simple as 

 possible. The more superfluity the more dirt and 

 dust, and the more things to be kept clean. Again, 

 the greater the simplicity the greater will be the 



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