ON HUNTING. 169 



At the first roadside inn or cottage get a quart of 

 oatmeal or wheat-flour boiled in half a i)ail of \yater — 

 mere soaking the raw oatmeal is not sufficient. I have 

 found the water of boiled linseed used for cattle answer 

 well with a tired horse. In cases of serious distress a 

 pint of wine or glass of spirits mixed with water may 

 be administered advantageously ; to decide on the pro- 

 priety of bleeding requires some veterinary experience ; 

 quite as many horses as men have been killed by 

 bleeding when stimulants would have answered better. 



With respect to the treatment of hunters on their 

 return, I can do nothing better than quote the directions 

 of that capital sportsman and horseman, Scrutator, 

 in " Horses and Hounds." 



" When a horse returns to the stable, either after 

 hunting or a journey, the first thing to be done to him 

 is to take off the bridle, but to let the saddle remain on 

 for some time at least, merely loosening the girths. The 

 head and ears are first to be rubbed dry, either with a 

 wisp of hay or a cloth, and then by the hand, until the 

 ears are warm and comfortable ; this will occupy only a 

 few minutes, and the horse can then have his bit of hay 

 or feed of corn, having previously, if returned from 

 hunting, or from a long journey, despatched his bucket 

 of thick gruel : the process of washing his legs may 

 now be going on, whilst he is discussing his feed of corn 

 in peace ; as each leg is washed, it should be wrapped 

 round with a flannel or serge bandage, and by the time 

 the four legs are done with, the horse will have finished 

 his feed of corn. A little hay may then be given, which 

 will occupy his attention while the rubbing his body is 

 proceeded with. I am a great advocate for plenty of 

 dry clean wheat straw for this purpose; and a good 

 groom, with a large wisp in each hand, will in a very 



