258 In Scarlet and Silk 



canters, not exceeding half a mile at first, 

 and then gradually lengthening. Long trot- 

 ting also, on some soft ground where obtain- 

 able, will be found beneficial. Even when a 

 horse is almost fit, he should never be allowed 

 to travel at his highest rate of speed : horses 

 are always at their best when running a bit 

 above themselves. I don't believe in the 

 system which sends them out, either to hunt 

 or take part in a steeplechase, when, although 

 full of muscle, they have lost the bloom of 

 health, possess a lack-lustre eye, and want 

 to carry their heads between their forelegs 

 when led along. The "hunted -to -death" 

 looking horse is never the horse at his best ; 

 at least, that has been my experience, both 

 on race-course and at covert side. 



In furtherance of this idea, it is as well 

 not to have hunters quite " cherry-ripe " at 

 the beginning of the season. Of course I 

 don't mean that they should not be fit to 

 go. What I wish to convey is, that they 

 should not be "fine drawn" in November. 

 You can get plenty of condition on a horse 



