The expense attending the in-door system is the only objection that can, I think, be justly urged against it. As far as the health and vigor of the hunter are concerned, experience seems to have fully proved which of the two plans is the best for him. Most of those who have opposed the home summering, persist in magnifying and multiplying the good effects of grazing; but little is said against Nimrod's system, except that it deprives the horse of all the advantages of grazing, and that it is cruel. The cruelty has been much insisted on, but without any reason. If it can be shown that the stabled hunter has more vigor at the commencement of his labors than he that has summered abroad, it is sufficient proof that the horse has not been uncomfortable. He has not, indeed, experienced the delight of galloping in freedom with his companions, but neither has he suffered the pains of freedom. On the hot days he has been reposing at ease in the stable, while others were scorched by a burning sun, and persecuted by multitudes of winged enemies. If the horse himself be consulted, it will be found that, though he likes now and then to have a day or two to himself in a good pasture, yet he prefers home.

If every horse that has been long stabled had his own will, he would walk from the field to the stall upon the third or fourth day.

* Nimrod on the Condition of Hunters, pp. 258, 260.

I see no objection to let the hunter out for two or three weeks, while the grass is young. In such a short period he would not suffer much loss of condition - none but what might be easily and safely restored before he is wanted for the hounds. Yet I do not think he would derive any benefit from this, if the pleasure it would give him be excepted. There are cases in which a summer's grass may be quite necessary, demanded by the state of the horse's health. But I am not speaking of these, nor of those to whom grazing would be more than usually injurious. These are exceptions, and have nothing to do with the question. Hunters in full work are generally lean, something exhausted, and have their legs a little the worse for wear, at the end of the hunting season. Some may have become very lame, and these are not fit for grass; others may have been sadly over-marked, and in bad health; these would be much the better of the young grass, the gentle and regular exercise, and the open air which they would procure at pasture.

But in all ordinary cases, it appears that hunters can be better managed at home than abroad.

They are not to be constantly tied in stalls, nor ever kept loose boxes. If the legs be good the horses should have 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 defective, 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 inconvenience. 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 seldom 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 almost every week.

Hunters during the season, are generally fed five times a day, consuming from 12 to 16 pounds of grain. The ordinary feed is a quartern, in each of which there may be one or two single handfuls of beans. The oats and beans are rarely bruised, and the hay almost never cut into chaff. Occasionally 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 fevered him, when lameness, fatigue, or sickness, require rest. To horses of keen appetite, it is usual to give a bran-mash once in 8 or 10 days, instead of the customary feed of grain. It keeps the bowels open and prevents plethora, but it is purgative and debilitating, if given within 48 hours of going to hounds.

Horses that purge on the road or in the field never need it while able for work.

The Saddle-Horse is fed in nearly the same manner as hunters. He generally gets more hay and less grain. Three feeds per day, about 10 pounds, is the usual allowance, with 12 of hay. Those in full work may be fed in the same way as hunters, or stage-coach horses. When the work is moderate, the feeding may be the same as that of cavalry-horses.

The cost of keeping a horse at livery, varies from 17s. to 25s. per week.

The Cavalry-Horses used to be fed on barley and hay. At present they get 10 pounds of oats, and 12 of hay. They are fed thrice. In the morning they get 3 pounds, at mid-day 4, and at night 3. For six or seven weeks in summer they get cut grass. They have no beans, no boiled food, nor chaff. The oats are not bruised. Once a week a bran-mash is given at night instead of oats. Sick horses get bran-mashes, boiled oats, raw potatoes, and hay or grass. Each horse is allowed 8 pounds of straw every day for litter.