206 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



the groom did start very early in the morning, — 

 say four o'clock, — and in the hunting season there is 

 much doubt whether he would start so soon by tAvo 

 hours probably, so that the horse has often no time 

 to get fresh. All that can be said is, that this 

 practice is penny wise and pound foohsh. 



So in respect to riding a hunter home, probably 

 twenty or twenty -five miles or more, after a hard 

 day's work with hounds. Let the day be ever so 

 severe, some men insist on it their horse will not 

 rest so well in any stable as his own, which is 

 against all reason. If there is good accommodation, 

 he does an unwise thing who risks the chance of 

 taking his horse home in preference. The best thing- 

 he can do, if the horse is distressed, is to have about 

 two or three quarts of blood taken from him, see 

 that he has some gruel and is properly taken care 

 of, then go home if necessary, and send for him 

 next day, or let the groom return by the same con- 

 veyance. 



A ffood substitute for oatmeal is wheat flour, a 

 pint or two of which, mixed with half a pail of warm 

 water, can be had for sixpence at any cottage ; and 

 it would be no bad plan always to give it to your 

 horse after a run, on his way home. 



INIany men breed their own horses, and ought 



