MODERN FARRIER. 225 



quarters, and flirnishes-.no reason for neglecting to 

 look to the f ore-quarters in the choice of a horse for 

 either the road or field. 



Some horses, in galloping, change the leading leg 

 whilst they are going on. A'^'hen they change the 

 fore-leg without the hind-leg, they then gallop false ; 

 but when they change both a fore and a hind-leg at 

 the same time, it is a proof of strength, and of great 

 command of their limbs. 



121. Training for the Chace. 



It is a rule with the best sportsmen, that no horse 

 should be used in hunting till he is full five years 

 old : some will hunt them at four^ but the horse at 

 this time is not come vip to his true strength and 

 courage, and will not only fail at every tough trial, 

 but will be subject to strains, and accidents of that 

 kind, much more than if he were to be kept an- 

 other year first, when his strength would be more 

 confirmed. 



When the hunter is five years old, he may be put 

 to grass from the middle of May till Bartholomew- 

 tide ; for the weather between these is so hot, that 

 it will be very proper to spare him from work. At 

 Bartholomew-tide, the strength of the grass begin- 

 ning to be nipped by frosts and cold dews, so that 

 it is apt to engender crudities in the horse, he should 

 be taken up while his coat is yet smooth and sleek, 

 and put into the stable. When he is first brought 

 home, he should be put in some secure and spacious 

 place, where he may evacuate his body by degrees, 

 and be brought not all at once to the warm keeping ; 

 the next night he may be stabled up. He ought to 

 be well supplied with good meat, litter, and water, 

 and to be often dressed, and suifered to sleep as 

 much as he pleases, he should be so fed, that his 

 dung may be rather soft than hard ; and it must be 

 of a bright and clean colour. 



2 F 



