HOW TO BEING A HUNTER HOME. 81 



Supposing, as is often the case, that the majority of 

 the horses that are "in at the death " have been out 

 of their stables from seven to eight hours, that they have 

 been conspicuous in two or three runs, and that, with the 

 lower edge of the sun nearly touching the horizon, they 

 have to travel from fifteen to twenty miles to their 

 stables, a question of vital importance has to be deter- 

 mined, namely, whether they are to perform that exer- 

 tion in the way most agreeable to their riders, or most 

 advantageous to themselves, 



In the settlement of this problem the poor horses have, 

 of course, neither voice nor vote. On their behalf, there- 

 fore, we will endeavour to contrast the attentions that 

 ought to be bestowed upon them, with the inconsiderate 

 treatment to which they are usually subjected. 



In a severe day's work a hunter suffers from a com- 

 bination of three causes : violent muscular exertion, an 

 overexcitement of the circulation of the blood, and debi- 

 lity of his whole system caused by abstinence from food. 



Of these causes, the latter produces by far the worst 

 results ; for although to the muscles may be given rest, 

 and to the circulation repose, the stomach of a horse is 

 so small and, in comparison to his noble spirit, so 

 delicate, that on becoming empty and exhausted it is 

 in an unfit state to digest food, and accordingly is bene- 

 ficently deprived by Nature of appetite to receive it. 



F 



