188 THE HORSE. 



will require of his beast such a murderous effort for 

 any cause short of indispensable necessity. In speedy 

 travelling, a horse will perform best, which will both 

 trot and canter, easing himself and his rider by occa- 

 sional alteration. 



A good hack will perform fifty or sixty miles in a 

 day, without injury, indeed with ease; but for long 

 continued journeys, thirty to forty two miles per day 

 is as much as can be required. Some hacks I have 

 known, which, though able to trot after the rate of 

 fourteen miles within the hour, and in the best condi- 

 tion, could never stand fast travelling, losing their 

 appetite and becoming powerless ; yet at a slow pace, 

 would travel the day through. Let no man expect 

 great performance, unless his horse be in condition, 

 and full of hard meat ; not, truly, from a hack that 

 has been " fed according to his work," on the plan of 

 certain stable economists — in other words, to be alter- 

 nately fed and starved. However, a right moderri 

 Job, as above described, may safely engage his nag 

 with his full burden of grass flesh upon him, in a 

 month's journey; and by virtue of good solid corn 

 feeds, he will in that month attain condition. 



Feeding and management on the road. Many 

 persons ride long stages, for example, thirty or forty 

 miles without feeding; but it is inconsiderate and 

 injurious to the horse. Moderate feeds at the dif- 

 ferent stages, and an ample one at the last, are most 

 beneficial ; a quartern of oats, with a handful or two 

 of beans are sufficient quantities during the day; 

 at night, half a peck of oats and a few handfuls of 

 beans ; so that a hack upon a journey of considerable 

 length, may be allowed from a peck and a quarter, to 



