AFTER HUNTING 105 



groom should find a lot of uneaten oats in his 

 manger. 



I know of some people who give their hunters 

 a small feed of corn when they are rubbed down 

 and the mash later in the evening. I do not ap- 

 prove of this plan. It is like taking the joint 

 before the soup. The mash is easier digested 

 than corn and helps to digest the corn given later, 

 and it must be remembered that the long fast 

 and severe exertion are a considerable trial of a 

 horse's digestion. 



It may be thought I advocate too much gruel 

 on the return home from hunting. It is, I am 

 certain, a sound policy not to stint a horse in his 

 drink. If he has it offered frequently he will never 

 drink more than is good for him ; and I am con- 

 fident that many a horse does not ' clean up ' 

 because he is suffering from thirst. It is of 

 course an excellent plan to let a horse have a few 

 swallows of water whenever an opportunity offers 

 in the course of the day or in the homeward 

 journey. It is astonishing how much just ' wash- 

 ing a horse's mouth out ' refreshes him. 



