is HORSES AXD HOUNDS. 



of stucis on a large scale) the benefit of a summer run, witli cer- 

 tain conditions inseparably connected with the well-being of 

 the horse when turned out to grass. I have seen horses sum- 

 mered in various ways, from the great studs in Leicestershire, 

 dow^i to the single animal kept by the lover of the noble science, 

 whose limited means only allow him the opportunity of meeting 

 the hounds once or twice per week during the hunting season, 

 and who is obliged to husband his horse's power to admit of 

 this gratification. Some summer their horses in the stable 

 only, with windows and doors open ; some in loose boxes, in 

 sheds, barns, and outhouses, as each man's fancy leads him, or 

 according to his peculiar circumstances. I have seen horses 

 turned into such places, with a thick layer of wet clay up to 

 their fetlocks ; others with a profusion of straw ; others without 

 ^ny, standing on the bare stones to keep their feet cook I 

 knew, also, a very economical gentleman, wdio, instead of giving 

 his hunters a run at grass, gave them a run in his phaeton during 

 the summer months, and he said they were all the better for it ! 

 Credat Judceus Apella, non ego. To make the most of horses, 

 where such a disposition exists, there can be no question that 

 hunters, after a severe season, do require some relaxation and 

 rest from their arduous labours during the summer months. 

 The bow should not always be kept bent. Some consider 

 horses in the light of machines, and work them as long and as 

 hard as they can ; and when unfit for use, buy others. Some 

 sporting men (as they are termed) will, in like manner, run a 

 good horse off his legs, or until he has scarcely a sound one to 

 stand upon. With such I have little to do ; they are quite out 

 of my pale, and if they can reconcile such conduct with their 

 consciences, they must be hard indeed. Justice extends to the 

 brute creation. Unfortunately, however, for the brute creation, 

 there is many a greater brute to be found among bipeds than 

 quadrupeds. Mr. Martin's act, it is true, has somewhat pro- 

 tected the humbler animals from the cruelty and tyranny which 

 have been exercised over them by tliose higher animals supposed 

 to be endowed with reason and religion ; but it does not go far 

 enough. To those who have not the opportunity of turning 

 their horses out to grass, I would suggest the plan of giving 

 them some large outhouse, or a loose box in some cases must 

 suffice, well littered with straw, the place to be kept as cool as 

 possible. There should be placed in one corner a very large 

 bucket, such as is used for w^ashing horses' legs, or a good 

 sized tub, containing nine or ten gallons of w^ater ; this should 

 be filled morning and evening with fresh water. The craving 

 which many horses evince for water is generally caused by 



