68 Stable Servants and 



Summering the Hunter. 



There still exists much difference of opinion on this 

 point; but when we consider that the great object to be 

 attained is rest, it must be evident to all who have seen 

 horses at grass in the summer, that the old plan of turning 

 the hunter to grass is about the very least likely way to 

 obtain it. The ground is then very hard, the sun hot and 

 oppressive, and even in the shade under the trees, the horse 

 is constantly tormented by flies. He is never still, walking 

 backwards and forwards, kicking and stamping to knock 

 them off, till, unable any longer to bear them, he takes a 

 mad gallop round the field. This state of things cannot 

 be rest, but more destructive to the legs and feet than 

 any ordinary amount of work. In addition to which, the 

 horse gets big and lusty on soft green food, all of which has 

 to be taken off at the expense of his legs and feet, before 

 he is fit to go, and is another very unsuitable preparation 

 for the work required of him in the winter. The modern 

 plan, the advantages of which are every year becoming 

 more and more apparent, is, at the end of the hunting 

 season to cool the hunter, by giving him a dose of physic 

 and then gradually taking off his clothing. At the end of 

 a month he may be turned into a large cool box or shed, 

 have from two to three quarterns of corn a day, according 

 to his constitution, with green meat in sufficient quantities 

 to act as a natural alterative and tonic to his system, and 

 get him fresh, but not fat and out of shape, as is too often 

 the case. His hind shoes may be taken off, and light 

 shoes or tips put on the fore-feet, and removed about once 

 a month. These will prevent his feet getting broken away 

 and preserve them in shape. If he require blistering, or 

 has any lumps or bumps on his legs, from blows or thorns, 

 to be sweated down, it should at once be done. For this 

 the biniodide of mercury will be found the best. At the 

 beginning of August, at the latest, the hunter may be taken 

 up ; his legs and feet will be found to be clean and cool ; 

 he should have a dose of physic, and begin steady exer- 

 cise ; after which, if the groom do his duty, he will be free 



