10 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



at. least the system advocated by writers on the horse of the 

 present day, are entirely at variance with my views and 

 opinions, but I need only inquire whetlier this system has pro- 

 duced, and is producing the tine animals which come from York- 

 shire and Lincolnshire. Are these horses produced from pad- 

 dock or box feeding'? With few exceptions, I think I may under- 

 take to say that they are not ; neither in a general way will 

 such a system be adopted, even by the enlightened agriculturists 

 of the present day. Confinement in boxes and paddocks is not 

 only not necessary, but I think certainly prejudicial to the 

 growth of young horses. I once tried the plan of rearing young 

 hounds at home in a large green yard ; fat enough they became, 

 but in bone and muscle there was an evident deficiency ; 

 neit]ier were they straight on their legs ; and I consider that 

 this was owing to the want of proper air and exercise. Why then 

 should not young horses suffer from the same cause, confinement 

 in a small paddock, without the free exercise of limbs and 

 lungs, which are of equal importance to them as to hounds, and 

 even more so. Hardness and fulness of muscle cannot be 

 obtained witliout constant exercise, in my humble opinion, and 

 I think I have reason and common sense on my side. It is a 

 different thing with those intended for the turf, which may be 

 said to begin training almost as soon as they are foaled. Their 

 work commences two years before a hunter would even be 

 backed, and the severe training they go through requires the 

 high feeding and artificial treatment they experience. That 

 both their frames and constitutions are affected by this severe 

 and early discipline there can be little doubt. 



How few, out of the large number of young horses, thus early 

 entrusted to the trainer's hands, come out conspicuous for fine 

 symmetry, or as successful racers ! There are more bad race 

 horses bred and brought to the post at the present day, than at 

 any period during the last century ; and I do not see that this 

 proves very much for the judgment or system either, of our 

 present breeders. Our forefathers were proud of bringing out 

 fine and good animals, which would run a four mile course for 

 heats. In the present day short courses are the fashion, and 

 speed the chief consideration ; but for breeding hunters, give me 

 rather a stout running horse than a speedy one. There are 

 many horses good for half a mile, others good for a mile and a 

 distance, but beyond that, good for nothing. Breeders of race 

 horses only, can go on Avith their system of forcing their young 

 stock in this artificial manner, but it is not necessary for our 

 purpose. Horses for hunting should be of a certain age before 

 they are subjected to the trial of a hard day with fox hounds. 



