440 THE HORSE. 



of quarts. A greater quantity might probably be objected 

 to. He will perform his task far more pleasantly and ef- 

 fectively than with a parched mouth and tormenting thirst. 

 The prejudice both of the hunting and the training groom on 

 this point is cruel, as well as injurious. The task or the jour- 

 ney being accomplished, and the horse having had his head 

 and neck dressed, his legs and feet washed, before his body is 

 cleaned he should have his water. AVhen dressed, his corn 

 may be offered to him, which he wmII readily take ; but water 

 should never be given immediately before or after the corn. 



CONDITION. 



It would be incompatible with the limits of this work to 

 enter into voluminous details of the racing stables ; but some 

 leading remarks on the condition of hunters and all other kinds 

 of working horses are requisite. The treatment of hunters has 

 been vastly improved since it was discovered that turning thera 

 out to grass during the summer months was highly prejudicial 

 to their future performances. When the hunting season has 

 terminated, rest is acceptable to most horses, and that cannot 

 be conceded to them more conveniently than in a loose box, 

 with a yard into which they may be enlarged daily. The state 

 of each animal will determine the necessity for physic, or any 

 applications in the way of blisters or counteractants to the legs. 

 A moderate allowance of corn is indispensable, with a suffi- 

 ciency of hay, but not so much of either as to occasion plethora. 

 Water should always be at hand. Enough has been introduced 

 in these pages on the ill effects of green succulent herbage ; 

 those who desire to have their hunters in first-rate condition, 

 will reject it, except in very small quantities for certain pur- 

 poses. Towards the latter end of August, one or two doses of 

 mild physic will render the subject in a proper state for grad- 

 ually increased exercise ; and very few which have been treated 

 in this manner will require the abuse of sweating — imperative 

 with those which have been fattened with grass. Thus the legs 

 and constitutions are exonerated from much injury and incon- 

 venience. Two or three hours' walking, and occasional trotting 

 exercise daily, with a steady gallop from two to three miles 



