90 THE HORSE 



patterns and strengths. As the hounds fairly race up the 

 steep hills and down the sharp declivities, whenever there 

 is a scent, and the Meets are often very distant from 

 the kennels, as well as the termination of the day's pro- 

 ceedings, necessitating long weary rides each way, no 

 low-bred horse can be expected to carry its rider with 

 credit or even safety. The very first hill will settle its 

 pretensions, and the rider will be wise if he cautiously 

 avoids the first strong fence he meets, timber or otherwise, 

 when he has been galloping a few minutes up a steep incline. 

 The Wolds, like all hill countries, are best suited by a 

 compactly built horse, and a leggy or long-backed animal is 

 not so handy there, though it may be accounted a good 

 performer in a flatter district. This should be borne in 

 mind by the Koyal Commission when awarding premiums 

 to stallions at the Spring Show, for an animal is often sent 

 to a locality for which his conformation is not suitable, 

 when he is not likely to beget the sort the district 

 requires. 



The Points of a Hunter. 



To sum up the points of a hunter generally, suitable 

 for almost every country, he should be 15. 3| or 16 hands 

 in height, a long, deep-barrelled horse, with short legs, good 

 shoulders, a well-developed wither, and a good blood head 

 and neck, properly put on so as to bend nicely to the bit. 

 His quarters must be strong and well let down, with a 

 good back. His elbows must be at liberty, and not 

 touch his ribs ; his hocks must be large ; and he should 

 move with true hunting action, with full control of his 

 hind-legs, and carry himself well balanced. When you are 

 on his back his knees should show well in front. He 

 should be free from all rush, easy to ride, and easy to 

 guide, with plenty of sense : one that will steady himself 

 when you require him, while you take a look at a fence, and 

 then make a big jump at short notice, but who will gallop 

 on and take the fence in his stride without any dwelling, if 

 you ask him to do so. Of course pace comes first, but he 

 must bend his knees, and get up at timber, and also creep 



