38 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



was assigned. It, however, too often happened that 

 they were either obUged to go through the process of 

 blistering, perhaps the operation of firing, and then 

 not fit to ride till after Christmas. I, however, soon 

 found out that it was the work these hunters were doing, 

 before they were fit to work — the galloping under this 

 load of flesh — that destroyed their legs ; and the 

 example before my eyes led me, twenty years ago, 

 to the determination that turning out a hunter to a 

 summer's run at grass to help himself to as much food 

 as he pleased to eat, and accumulate this load of flesh, 

 which was to be got rid of only at the expense of his legs, 

 was a most pernicious system, and was the cause of 

 the number of lame horses which I met with in the 

 stables of my friends. From that period to the present 

 I have never given a hunter a summer's run at grass, 

 nor would I recommend any one to do it who wishes 

 to be well carried to hounds, and to preserve his horse 

 to a good old age. Rest from his labours, I admit, 

 is essential to a hunter as well as to a race-horse. It 

 will not do to have him always going ; or, like the 

 race-horse, he will get stale. Green meat is also 

 necessary ; at least, cooling and wholesome ; but that 

 is to be had in a loose house ; and a small piece of 

 land — a few square yards — if his owner has no 

 paddocks, is sufficient for him to exercise himself in 

 and keep himself in health. If it were not so, what 

 would become of stallions that live this kind of life 

 for twenty years together and do well ? The in- 

 fluence of habit on animal economy is very strong, 

 and soon overcomes Nature. 



