BREAKING AND TRAINING. 471 



Another foolish practice is the starving all animals when most in need 

 of support. This is common with racers and with hunters. When 

 extra energy is imperative, the trainer, by his conduct, pursues th^ 

 measure best calculated to destroy all inclination for exertion. The 

 plea urged in defense of such folly is, that a loaded stomach oppresses 

 the breathing. This is true enough ; but the evils which result from 

 gluttony do not establish that good only can ensue upon starvation. 

 Let the trainer experiment upon himself, and decide whether a light 

 meal or no meal at all is the better preparation for an extraordinary 

 performance. Many trainers assert that a full stomach rests upon the 

 diaphragm, and thereby is detrimental to the respiration. This is a 

 mistake. The digestive sac is pendent beneath the respiratory agent • 

 a fact which an inspection of the annexed engraving will amply illus- 

 trate. 



DIAGRAM, TO ILLUSTRATE THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OP THE STOMACH AND OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 



1. The lungs. 2. The stomach. 3. The intestines. 4. The diaphragm. 5. The bladder. 



If the horse is about to follow the hounds, let a meal of concentrated 

 nourishment be presented. This may consist of a quart of softened 

 malt, or a two-pound stale loaf, moistened with fluid, or a few soaked 

 ship biscuits, or anything of the like nature. This quantity must drive 

 away the pangs of hunger, and the languor attending the sensation ; 

 but the author confidently asserts the impossibility of such a repast 

 proving detrimental to the respiration. Then, let every gentleman, who 

 follows the chase, put into each coat-tail pocket a penny loaf. When a 

 check occurs, the rider should dismount, and, having soaked one portion 

 of the bread in any brook or pool, present it to his steed. Such a quan- 



