SUMMERING HUNTERS 57 



sown on a majority of farms in England. Lucerne 

 or other grasses of the kind are also good but 

 I prefer Clover. The best way of giving the 

 clover is mixing it with the hay It is as well 

 to begin gradually and increase the quantity 

 till it is about half clover and half hay. Let 

 the horses have this ration for about a fortnight 

 and then gradually reduce the quantity of clover. 



Old clover should never be given. The clover 

 should be new and fresh and after the flower 

 begins to fade it is time to give up using it as 

 a diet for hunters. One word of warning too 

 may be given. Never give a light horse tares 

 or vetches ; they are watery and apt to produce 

 colic. I have given them to draught horses 

 but I certainly would not give them to hunters. 



One thing should be attended to which is 

 frequently neglected during the summer months, 

 and that is the horses' legs which should be well 

 hand-rubbed every day. Nothing tends so 

 much to strengthen the sinew as continued 

 hand-rubbing and the man who insists upon 

 seeing this done will have his reward in his 

 horses having fewer accidents and lasting longer. 



By the time the clover season is over it 

 will be time to think about getting the hunters 

 into condition again. After they have had a 

 rest of eight or ten weeks the cub-hunting season 

 will be fast approaching and the middle of July 

 is the best time to begin if you mean seeing 

 any of the early cub-hunting. 



It is as well perhaps to give a mild dose of 



