THE HORSE. 251 



vious spring and summer, that is to say, until the 

 first week in August, had been kept on hay only, 

 (why corn was not allowed not stated) in an open 

 loose stable, with a yard well littered down, in which 

 to exercise himself at will. After his exercise he 

 appeared in condition fully equal to any horse in 

 the field, and proved equally stout. It is the prac- 

 tice, in this stud, to allow the hunters corn a week 

 or two before they are taken up from grass. 



SECTION XXXVII. 



As to the method of training the hunter, after he shall 

 be well through his two or three purges, that must 

 be left to general custom and the experienced train- 

 ing groom. The horse should go out lightly clothed 

 to take his gallops, as often as possible, twice a 

 day, the distance being increased as his condition 

 improves. I really conceive there can seldom be 

 occasion for sweating the hunter, though I have 

 generally known it practised by some sportsmen. 

 Sweating, even if not overdone, too often the case, 

 may take something out of the horse of which he 

 may stand in need during a long run in the field, 

 where his business is not mere speed throughout, 

 and where he wants the sound use of his limbs and 

 full constitutional powers, not at all promoted by the 

 laborious exertion of running a long sweat with a 

 heavy weight upon his back. Walking exercise, 

 alternated with the modern favourite substitute of 

 the jog trot, will contribute, with his gallops, to 

 keep under superfluous flesh. As to feeding the 



