116 HUNTING 



disgrace to any groom. While grooming, the 

 man should stand back so as to groom with 

 a straight arm, which is less exertion to him 

 and produces a better effect on the horse. 

 If the horse is sweating, wisping with dry 

 straw is better than rubbing. We should 

 add in justice to grooms that some horses are 

 not only difficult but dangerous to groom. If 

 a horse is given to " savaging," i.e. trying to 

 bite while he is being groomed, the only thing 

 is to muzzle him, for a bite from a horse is 

 a serious matter. But a horse that savages 

 while being groomed is sure to have been 

 ill-treated at some time of his life. 



2. Kow hunters should he exercised. — Hunters should 

 always be exercised on turf, and, if possible, in 

 a field adjacent to the stables. If the master 

 does not possess such a field, he can generally 

 hire the right to exercise in a field from a 

 neighbouring farmer for a very trifling sum. 

 Exercising on the road knocks horses' legs 

 about, and is apt to make them fill, besides 

 placing temptation before the grooms. The 

 exercising bridle and saddle should be strong, 

 and both reins of the bridle sewn on to 

 the snaffle rings. A groom should never be 

 allowed to exercise, or even to take a horse to 

 the blacksmith, without using the saddle. He 

 dislikes the extra trouble, but the habit of 

 riding without a saddle is dangerous, and 

 is uncomfortable to both horse and man. 



