CHAPTER XIV 



A few words on summering liunters. Mr. (.'orbet'.s country and men, and the 

 finish of the season witli the Atherstone. 



As may be supposed, the paddocks for summering the hunters 

 were finished by the appointed time, and the orders of our 

 young sportsman had been strictly complied with in the con- 

 struction of them. Each hovel contained two horses, which 

 were shut up in them at night, as well as in the heat of the 

 day, when wetted matting was placed in the open windows, to 

 cool the air, and prevent the entrance of flies. Their hours of 

 being let loose in the small space of ground allotted to them, 

 on the outside of their hovels, were from four to eight or nine 

 in the morning, and from seven or eight to ten in the evening, 

 unless the weather was wet, when they were invariably con- 

 fined to their hovels. Their food was, occasionally, tares or 

 lucern, in some cases mixed with their hay ; and in no instance 

 were they allowed green meat altogether for more than three 

 or four consecutive days. And another precaution was ob- 

 served. The horses were sorted according to the nature of 

 their constitution — those which carried much flesh being put 

 together, and vice versa, the quantity of their food being regu- 

 lated accordingly. In the case of two, indeed, such was their 

 aptitude to gather flesh, that, after the first month, they were 

 ridden out to exercise for at least two hours, in a cool place, 

 and on turf. Their general allowance of oats was three- 

 quarters of a peck to each horse, in the twenty-four_ hours, a 

 few old beans being given to two of them, who were 'a little 

 deficient in stamina, although the most brilliant of the whole 

 stud in a burst. Their hinder shoes were taken ofl", but their 

 fore feet were protected by tips, and their toes were kept 

 shortened, the same as if they had been in work, although 

 little was done to the sole, and the frog not touched at all. 

 EfVch horse, with the exception of one that had thrushes, and 



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