io6 HUNTING. 



of course indispensable \ and in all cases where inflamma- 

 -tory symptoms show themselves laxative food, green-meat, 

 gruel, and bran mashes must replace the allowance of corn. 

 It may be added that the fit of a saddle depends upon the 

 suitability of the shape of the tree to the back of the horse. 

 Excessive stuffing is bad. A man should be as near to his 

 horse as possible. 



Into the question of bits we cannot possibly here enter at 

 length. It may be briefly remarked, however, that if a bit 

 does not seem to be sufficiently severe to stop a horse, one that 

 is less severe may wisely be tried. The ordinary double bridle 

 is, as a rule, the best for hunting. The sportsman will look to 

 his gear before he mounts. Comfort to his horse will mean 

 comfort to himself, and he will therefore see that the snaffle lies 

 lightly on the bars of the horse's mouth, and that the curb is 

 neither inconveniently tight nor too loose to be effectual if wanted. 

 There is no lack of severe bits of all descriptions, but the use 

 of them generally implies bad horsemanship or bad breaking. 

 Severe bits should be the last resource, to be used with the 

 utmost caution, and then only by the best riders. 



It was remarked on a former page that whatever is un- 

 natural is mischievous, but allowance must be made for the 

 circumstance that a horse's life is not such as that which he 

 would lead in a state of nature. He would not have to bear 

 weight on his back, nor to travel for so many miles at a stretch, 

 nor to go on the hard road. Horses, moreover, are not in- 

 digenous to this climate, and must be shod in order to fulfil the 

 duties of modern life. At Badminton the material for the 

 shoes is cut from bars of patent iron, which is sold in lengths 

 grooved for the reception of nails. The smith cuts off the 

 length he requires from the bar and fashions it into the shoe. 

 The reckless use of the knife is to be condemned : the exceed- 

 ingly and beautifully delicate structure of the hoof forbids it. 

 The farrier must take care that the frog comes well down to the 

 ground, so as to relieve pressure on the other bearing surfaces 

 of the foot, and where a horse has contracted heels, every 



