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and absorbs the water rapidly into his system, his stomach is very small) 

 and cannot contain much food, but this he digests very quickly also. In 

 his natural state he would be constantly feeding, but in the artificial 

 or unnatural state of training or hunting condition, we have to act as 

 best we can to lessen the evils attendant thereon. Anyway the more he 

 eats the more work he will do. I think the /anting consequent upon 

 a long day's hunting much more frequently knocks up a horse than the 

 actual icork he does. 



A horse's yard should be drawn, and it, with the sheath, washed 

 with soft soap and warm water once a fortnight. Allowing this part 

 to accumulate dirt often impedes free discharge of urine, and conse- 

 quently causes kidney derangement. 



Physicking is old-fashioned, and often much overdone. If a horse's 

 feeding and exercise be properly attended to, very little physic, as a rule, 

 is necessary. Of course, at times it is required; for instance, if an 

 accident suddenly throws him out of work, and his usual routine is 

 upset, or if he gets surfeited in any way, he probably will require a 

 light purgative. When it becomes necessary to physic, the horse should 

 be carefully " prepared " with bran or other mashes, and he should not 

 get the purgative ball witil his dung has hecome soft, when a much 

 smaller dose of aloes produces a better effect, with less injury. 



As soon as the hunting season is over, look to your horse's legs, mth 

 a view to firing, blistering, or charging where such is required, but don't 

 follow the old plan of blistering and charging when it is not required. 

 If you fire a horse he should have at least three months' rest from any 

 severe work, to give him a fair chance of coming round again. Those not 

 fired or blistered should have their regular long walking exercise in the 

 cool early mornings. 



Sea sand, or dry turf -mould, is very good for a horse to stand on in 

 the day time in summer, as it serves the feet. Some people recommend 

 the bare pavement, but I never tried it. 



Give from 7 to 10 lbs. of oats a day ; 10 or 12 lbs. of hay and some 

 nice fresh clover or grass as soon as it can be got. They may get this 

 up to the end of July. A hunter shoidd never he let out of condition. 

 I don't think he can be got back under two years, if once allowed to fall 

 completely off. He is unlike a dog, which can be got into the best and 

 hardest condition in a few months. For that reason it is obvious a 

 hunter should never be turned out on grass. 



Light harness work in a four-wheeled trap, where the weight won't 

 come on his fore-legs, will do a sound-legged hunter good in summer ; 

 and gentle ploughing or harrowing in light ground will serve " dickey " 

 legs. No carting or two-wheeled work. Towards the end of July 

 knock off the grass, reduce the daily allowance of hay, and increase the 

 oats and exercise. Long walking, and trotting up hill in deep ground, 

 with an occasional pipe-opener in clothing — but little galloping is 

 required — will get him fit and well by the first week in November. 

 Don't give your hunter long days before Christmas, but try to have him 



