112 CONDITION OF THE HUNTER. 



To train the hunter properly, however, without in- 

 jury to his legs, is a great art, and one to which it 

 would be well were gentlemen to pay greater attention 

 than they generally do. It is a great art for the fol- 

 lowing reason, that you require all the wind, activity, 

 and stoutness, though not, perhaps, quite the same 

 speed, which is required in the racer or steeplechaser ; 

 and the greatest difficulty is that you must arrive at all 

 this without stripping him of his flesh, as is not only 

 proper but necessary in the two latter cases. 



How then can clear wind, a clean skin, with fresh- 

 ness on the legs, and without loss of muscle, be ob- 

 tained ? 



The answer is, by time, by hard and long-continued, 

 but not quick work, and by hard and often-repeated 

 food. 



The hunter's food should be strong and substantial. 

 He should have fully as many beans as oats, with some 

 good and sweet hay chaff, and as much water as he 

 will drink. His work, from September 1st, should 

 not be less than five hours' walking exercise daily, which 

 should be gone through at two different periods — viz., 

 morning and afternoon. 



The question will then arise, ( How are you to keep 

 him in health — by alteratives, physic, or sweating ? ' 

 The answer is, by both the former and latter process. 



In the first place, it should be fully understood that 

 a horse can be sweated without being reduced or 

 weakened in any way ; and at least once a-week from 

 September 1st to November 1st, he will require to be 



