112 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



really bought tliese horses without riding them, 

 and have not ridden them since ? " 



"Why/^ said my friend, '^the bay horse I 

 bought at TattersalFs ; I had no opportunity of 

 riding, but have done so since I came down : the 

 grey I rode when in London : and the black I 

 rode an airing two days ago, and liked him very 

 well. The other two T have not rode, as Forester 

 said he wished them to rest.^' 



'- The chances are,^^ said I, ^' they would have 

 gone to their long rest from inflammation and 

 fever if he had stayed with you much longer. 

 Why," said I, " if the man had known anything 

 he must have been aware that horses not long 

 out of severe training, as these were when he 

 took to them, must have been accustomed to high 

 feed, strong work, and plenty of air; shutting 

 them up in a hot stable, giving them little or no 

 exercise, no air, and stuffing them with beans, 

 would not make them throw up muscle or even 

 flesh : sound flesh must be the result of sound 

 health. To keep horses treated as these have 

 been in good health, a couple of gentle doses 

 of physic were wanting, cooling alteratives to 

 loosen and moisten their skins, mashes, carrots, 

 plenty of fresh air, and gentle exercise. I strongly 

 suspect your late ^ governor;^ for he was go- 

 vernor, though no doubt he called you so, — so 

 irrcat a "entleman could not own to havin"^ a 



