STABLES AND STABLE MANAGEMENT 117 



Hunters require from two to three hours' 

 steady, continuous exercise per diem at the 

 walk, with occasional intervals of about 

 fifteen minutes at a jog-trot, not exceeding 

 six miles an hour. After a day's hunting, 

 half-an-hour's walking exercise to take away 

 the stiffness is sufficient ; before a day's hunt- 

 ing, a gallop is often advisable. When a 

 horse is led at exercise, the groom who is 

 riding the second horse should constantly 

 chanoje the leading side, or the mouth of the 

 led horse will become harder on the one side 

 than the other. Horses should be taken 

 out to exercise as soon after breakfast as 

 possible. 



Treatment of the hunter after hu7iting. — Eemove 

 bridle and put on head-stall and slacken the 

 girths, but leave on the saddle till the last 

 moment. Then give him a bucket of gruel. 

 Brush off the dirt, and sponge his nostrils 

 and dock. Use no other water for washing 

 purposes. Throw a rug over him and give 

 him his linseed mash, which should be 

 ready. Eemove saddle, and groom with dry 

 wisp of straw. Put on night- clothing. Band- 

 age legs with dry bandages after hand-rubbing 

 them. (If the legs are liable to fill, soak 

 bandages in vinegar and water, half and half.) 

 Put him in loose box, or improvised loose 

 box, as he will probably want to roll, and 

 feed with corn and hay. N.B, — While hand- 



