CONDITIONING HUNTERS. 395 



ness arising from work increases in proportion to the speed ; it 

 is I think best to restrict the pace at which hunters are exer- 

 cised, to the walk and trot, except when the groom is a 

 thoroughly capable man. If faster work is allowed under 

 such a condition, the ground upon which it is given should 

 be frequently changed, for reasons that have already been 

 explained ; and special care should be taken that the animal 

 or animals are extended only up an incline a gentle one 

 for choice and on ground that is soft and free from 

 inequalities. An ascent (Fig. 62), by taking weight off the 

 forehand, greatly diminishes the risk of sprain in front, which 

 is an accident that is particularly liable to occur on hard 

 and uneven ground. 



I am strongly opposed to the use of clothing for getting 

 down the superfluous fat of hunters ; for its effect will be 

 similar to that of a thick coat in causing depression. Such 

 sweating is permissible in a gross racehorse whose legs are too 

 infirm to bear severe work, or whose time for preparation is 

 unduly short ; but neither of these conditions should be met 

 with in hunters. If a hunter carries too much " beef," the 

 safest plan is to make him " walk it off," by keeping him out, 

 say, a couple of hours or even longer in the afternoon, as well 

 as by giving him work in the morning. 



As a rough approximation, I may say that hunters which 

 are being prepared for the approaching season, may be sent a 

 total distance of from 12 to 1 6 miles daily. If they are 

 exercised only in the morning, they cannot be expected to do 

 more than 12 miles. 



