20 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



and strengtli of the foal, with half a drachm of Turkey rhubarb, 

 and a teaspoonful of grated ginger. All horses, before physic is 

 given, should be prepared by having bran mashes, and no hay 

 or corn for at least twelve hours previously. Griping pains are 

 often produced by a want of attention to this preliminary 

 preparation. 



When a purgative ball is administered, the horse should drink 

 freely of gruel or warm water, which will tend to allay any irri- 

 tation in the intestines, and carry the effects of the medicine off 

 more freely. Castile soap, combined with aloes, forms a very 

 good dose where worms are supposed to exist, in the proportion 

 of half a drachm to one of aloes. I see no necessity for horses, 

 young or old, being physicked, before being turned out in the 

 spring, as the young grass will certainly have that effect without 

 the aid of medicine. When four years old, a colt may be broken 

 in, and ridden about during the summer months by the 

 whipper-in, which will render him handy and accustomed to 

 hounds ; but he will not be capable of doing any severe work 

 the first season, neither should he be regularly hunted until five 

 years old. Having been exercised with the hounds the first 

 summer, he should be consigned to his shed or loose-box, 

 during the ensuing winter, and, by commencing with cub- 

 hunting the following autumn, he will then be fit to take his 

 place in the hunting stable. Some are too anxious to commence 

 ox)erations with young horses at four years old, but if there is 

 one year gained in this way, there may be several lost in 

 another ; for by too soon taxing the powers of a young animal, 

 many years of good after-service are often lost; whilst the 

 muscles and sinews are still too pliable, and, I may say, half 

 unstrung, there is, of course, more probability of the horse being 

 overstrained. At the leaping bar young horses may have their 

 first lesson, and I consider this an excellent mode of preparing 

 them for the hunting field. The bar being covered with gorse, 

 they should have half an hour's exercise at it, once or twice a 

 week, not placed too high. This will teach tiiem to lift their 

 legs clean, and instruct them how to take off, before coming to 

 a fence or gate. In the first lesson, the bar should not be placed 

 higher than the horse's knees; the man who leads the colt 

 should walk over it first, and encourage him to follow by his 

 voice ; another man, with a whip in his hand, should be behind 

 to prevent his backing, buttlie whip should never be used unless 

 the horse is positively restive ! 



The first lessons should be taken standing or walking, and if 

 the horse is led half a dozen times over in this manner, tliis will 

 suffice for the first day. He should then be patted and led 



