58 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



and when given with discretion are most beneficial. 

 I remember hearing Mr Warde exclaim, as his hounds 

 were settling to their fox, and he expected a good run, 

 " Now we shall see what gentlemen's horses eat old 

 oats, and what eat new." I am inclined to think that 

 this distinction may be applied to those horses which 

 eat beans, and those which eat none ; for they help 

 to bring them home at the end of a long day, and sup- 

 port their strength in a run. They are said to dispose 

 the constitution to inflammatory complaints, which 

 I believe to be the case when given in large quantities 

 to horses of plethoric habits, and whose work is 

 moderate ; but, when given in proper quantities, are 

 most nutritious and wholesome. Two single handfuls 

 in each feed of com is the allowance for a hunter who 

 is fed (as he ought to be) five times a day. 



In the quantity of hay given to a hunter there is 

 also a great alteration within my recollection, not 

 more than half the quantity being now put before 

 him. About eight pounds a day, or one truss a week, 

 is considered sufficient for a hunter that will eat five 

 feeds of corn per day. A larger quantity is found 

 to increase the size, consequently the weight of the 

 carcase, to injure the wind, and destroy the digestive 

 powers. Among the brute creation we find extra- 

 ordinary instances of long abstinence, but the horse 

 is not of that tribe. He is a voracious animal, and 

 requires a daily supply of food : nevertheless it is 

 advisable that his appetite should never be cloyed, 

 but that he should always appear eager for his food 

 on his groom coming to him after being shut up his 



