LETTER I 



THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



HAD some sensible and rational groom 

 given to the world the result of his 

 practice in the stable, I should not have 

 taken up my pen on this humble subject, 

 conceiving he would have been better qualified for the 

 task. But as no instructions of this nature are before 

 us, and they appear to be much wanting, I will en- 

 deavour to furnish them to the best of my ability.^ Mr 

 White's is the only one on this subject that I ever was 

 possessed of. It appears to be written by a man who 

 understands his profession, and his practice is rational 

 and safe. He has a long chapter on condition ; but he 

 writes as a veterinary surgeon, treating scientifically of 

 the anatomy and pathology of the horse, and stating 

 such defects as operate against getting a horse into 

 condition — as also recommending some preventives of 

 disease after hunting, etc. But for directions as to 

 work, feeding, and other means by which we are to get a 

 horse fit to appear at a covert-side, we look in vain. Mr 

 White, however, as I before observed, was a veterinary 

 surgeon ; and it is not, generally speaking, from 

 veterinary surgeons that we are to expect such direc- 



^ This work has been revised by several veterinarians. 



