THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 34^ 



without it. Can standing in a hot stable do him any 

 ' good ? — and can hard exercise, particularly in the sum- 

 mer, be of any advantage to him ? — Is it not soft ground 

 and long rest that will best refresh his limbs, while the 

 night air and morning dews will invigorate his- body ? — 

 Some never physic their hunters j only observing, when 

 they first take them up from grass, to work them gently : 

 some turn out theirs all the j'ear. It is not unusual for 

 such as follow the latter method, to physic their horses at ■ 

 grass : they then are taken up, well fed, and properly ) 

 exercised, to get them into order : this done, they are 

 turned out for a few hours every day when they are not { 

 ridden. The pasture should be dry, and should have V 

 but little grass : there they will stretch their limbs, and \ 

 cool their bodies, and will take as much exercise as is ne- (. 

 cessary for them. I have remarked, that, thus treated, 

 they catch fewer colds, have the use of their limbs more'x 

 freely, and are less liable to lameness, than other horses. 

 Another advantage attends this method, which, in the 

 horses you ride yourself, you will allow to be very mate- 

 rial : — Your horse, when once he is in order, will require 

 less strong exercise than grooms generally give their 



