THE LIFE OF A HUNTER 67 



has not weakness or accident needing a 

 long rest. To be in a good stable on the 

 best of diet, and to be gently hacked a few 

 times a week, will keep him fit and healthy, 

 and not prevent him putting on plenty of 

 beef to start him well for the next season. 

 I have gone to hounds with greater ease 

 after summers so spent, and been ready in 

 a week or two to do the longest days with- 

 out distress ; whereas, when I have been 

 turned off for the whole summer, I have 

 come up fat and thick in the wind, and it 

 has taken several months before I could 

 do my work with comfort to myself and 

 satisfaction to my rider. But the worst 

 experience I ever had was being turned 

 out. I ate tons of grass, and laid on any 

 amount of flabby flesh, till my legs ached 



