OLD AND NEW SCHOOL OF SPORTSMEN 299 



But in these times the education and famihariza- 

 tion of the horse is never thought of. What does 

 the owner of a stud of hunters know or care 

 about them (generally speaking) as long as they 

 are Jit to go ? Their entire management is in- 

 trusted to a head groom, the Master seldom visit- 

 ing his stables, except, perhaps, to show them to a 

 friend, when, with a cigar in his mouth, and his 

 hands in his pockets, he may order a horse to be 

 stripped to exhibit his condition and proportions, 

 and ask when he will be ready to come out again, 

 concluding with, "D — d splendid animal, Bob, 

 eh ? Cost three hundred ; quite thorough-bred, 

 and ca7i go the pace T Now, that is about the 

 usual average notice bestowed by his rider in the 

 present day on his horse. 



Let us contrast him with one of the olden 

 school, who would not go to his own bed before 

 he had seen his faithful horse well cared for, and 

 prepared for his necessary rest. No inquiries 

 were made by him of a head groom, he judged 

 for himself; he was fond of his horse, and the 

 horse equally attached to his master. On enter- 

 ing the stable the morning after hunting his voice 

 was immediately recognized, and mutual greetings 

 passed between them. 



" Well, old friend !" asked the Master, going 



