262 STABLE ECONOMY. 



walking and trotting exercise every day, or every second 

 day, during the first six weeks. Afterward the exercise 

 must be fast enough to give good wind. If the legs be de- 

 fective, the horse may need absolute rest, or he may have 

 walking exercise in moderation every day. 



The Winter Food of Hunters consists of oats, beans, hay, 

 and bran. The articles are generally of the best quality. 

 The quantity of hay is about 8 pounds per "day, the one half 

 given at morning, the other at night. Many hunters would 

 eat more, and some may be allowed about' 10 pounds. A 

 greater quantity makes the belly too large, and impedes the 

 breathing. The day before hunting, the horse should not 

 have more than 8 pounds. If he eat his litter, the setting 

 muzzle must be applied about 10 or 11 o'clock at night, or 

 after the allowance of hay is consumed. In such a case the 

 groom must be in the stable by 5 next morning, to remove 

 the muzzle and give the horse his first feed, along with 4 

 pounds of hay. For horses somewhat thick-winded, those 

 that breathe as if with great labor, even 8 pounds of hay may 

 be rather too much on the day before work. Horses differ 

 much in the quantity of hay they may eat without inconve- 

 nience. The size of the belly is perhaps a good guide. If 

 8 pounds of hay make it too large for work, less must be 

 given. When the flank is tucked up, a larger allowance is 

 necessary. Hunters of light carcass and narrow chest sel- 

 dom eat too much of anything, and they are always poor hay- 

 feeders. The round-barrelled horse is most apt to overeat 

 himself. By giving more grain, he may have less disposition 

 to gorge himself with hay ; but, unless his legs be good 

 enough to stand much work, more grain will make him too 

 fat. These great eaters need physic often, and alteratives al- 

 most every week. 



Hunters during the season, are generally fed five times a 

 day, consuming from 12 to 16 pounds of grain. The ordina- 

 ry feed is a quartern, in each of which there may be one or 

 two single handfuls of beans. The oats and beans are rare- 

 ly bruised, and the hay almost never cut into chaff. Occa- 

 sionally a few carrots are given. They are better after a 

 severe day than before it. Hunters seldom receive any boiled 

 food. Barley boiled, or germinated, is an excellent and 

 speedy restorative when the horse has been tired off his 

 feed. The quantity in such a case should not exceed half a 

 feed. Bran-mashes are given only when the horse shows 

 some signs of plethora, when under physic, when work has 



