i68 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



in and out of the stable ; with plenty of leg-rubbing, 

 a bountiful supply of straw, and tepid water. Gentle 

 exercise also at this time — but not to create per- 

 spiration — is most material. 



As almost all diseases of horses are of an inflamma- 

 tory nature, the good or ill condition depends upon 

 the pure or impure state of his blood ; and which, 

 as far as Nature is concerned, can only be regulated 

 to a certain standard by food and exercise. Allowing 

 each of these to be administered to the best 

 possible advantage, yet there is that disposition to 

 change — generally leaning to plethora — in the habit 

 of aU animals under preternatural excitement, that 

 occasional evacuations by the bowels, or else a course 

 of alteratives, are necessary every six weeks, or two 

 months at farthest, to preserve them in uniform 

 health. The evacuation I allude to is a light dose of 

 physic, not exceeding six or six and a half drachms 

 of Barbadoes aloes, with the bowels well prepared 

 by from four to six bran mashes beforehand ; and 

 when I speak of alteratives, I mean those which 

 induce a healthy action of the bowels and skin by their 

 gradual and mild impression, and not those which 

 act strongly on the kidneys, and are termed diuretics ; 

 to most of which, with hunters, I have the greatest 

 possible objection, for reasons which I shall state 

 hereafter. Alteratives, however, I must observe, are 

 only expected to preserve a horse in his condition ; 

 for without physic not one in a hundred will ever 

 arrive at his best ; or, at least, remain so for the period 

 for which his services are required. 



