HUNTERS 187 



Passing on to the next plan, that of keeping 

 a horse in steady work throughout the summer, 

 there is a great deal to be said in favour of it, 

 horses so treated being fit to take the field almost 

 at once, only requiring a few sharp gallops to 

 make them ready to follow hounds ; for their 

 tendons and muscles are ready to stand the strain 

 of hard work without further preparation. One 

 great argument against it, where there are a large 

 number of horses in the stud, is that of expense ; 

 for almost as many men are required to look after 

 and exercise the horses, as in the hunting season, 

 while the consumption of hay and straw is about 

 the same. 



Where only two or three horses are kept it 

 answers very well, for they can be used for 

 hacks, or light harness work, with much benefit 

 to their ultimate condition ; though in these days 

 of bicycles a hack is very seldom required in the 

 summer-time, while motors must more and more 

 each year militate against the use of horses and 

 carriages, for a pleasure-drive. Dwellers in 

 the wilder parts, where rough, hilly ground has 

 often to be traversed, impassable to mechanical 

 vehicles, will soon be almost the only persons 

 who will do any riding except in the hunting 

 season. Old horses, whose joints are beginning 

 to get shak}^ are not benefited by work in the 

 summer ; and the risk of accidents when at exer- 

 cise has further to be taken into consideration. 



After weighing all things, the system of turning 

 horses out to graze, if carried out under proper 

 conditions, answers the best, for the muscular 

 development is kept up ; due circulation of the 

 blood from daily exercise is ensured ; and the 

 effect of the change of food from dry stimulating 



