THE [RISH LOUNTER. 9D 
In HEIGHT the hunter may vary from fifteen hands one inch to sixteen 
hands two inches, the former being the lowest limit which as a rule will 
give size and power sufficient to get over a big place. Exceptions have 
occurred, such as in Mr. Vevers’ Little Tommy, who was not more than 
fourteen hands and a half, and yet both in the steeplechase and hunting 
field was very nearly A 1, and could carry eleven stone seven pounds with 
great ease. Few men, however, like to be mounted on ponies ; and unless 
your nerve is very great, a big fence looks still bigger when you look up 
to its top than when you can look down upon it in riding towards it. 
On the other hand, an overgrown animal is seldom able to do more than 
carry himself, and frequently he cannot do that for any distance. Here, 
also, exceptions are met with, and Sir Piers Mostyn’s Seventy-Four, who 
was seventeen hands and an inch, is a case in point, being a splendid 
huater, and though not a winner of any great steeplechase, yet running 
a good second once or twice. 
MANNERS MAKE THE MAN, but still more the hunter; and without 
“good mauuers” no horse can be considered fit for a gentleman to ride to 
hounds. A strong puller may make an excellent steeplechase horse, as I 
have already said, but even then he will not be equal to the more com- 
posed yet equally high-couraged animal who takes nothing more out of 
himself than is absolutely requisite for the task he has to perform. And 
no one who could afford to pay for what he regards as perfection would 
willingly ride a pulling horse to hounds, and one that is also irritable at a 
check is still more objectionable. Some horses will not wait for their 
turn at a gap or gate, but, in spite of bit and heel, will rush at some part 
of the fence, and thus jeopardize their riders. Such propensities are 
extremely disagreeable, and condemn their possessors in the opinion of all 
men of experience. Good manners generally are displayed when the head 
is well formed and the expression of countenance is good, but an expe- 
rienced eye alone can judge of these particulars. 
LastLy, 4 GooD MouTH should never be overlooked, and as the setting 
on of the head is essential to perfection in this respect, a purchaser should 
not omit to notice that fact, in selecting a hunter without a trial. Many 
a horse’s mouth is spoiled from attempting to alter the shape of the neck 
by its means; while, again, a too supple neck gives way-so much that it 
is difficult to get a mouth sufficiently dull to bear the slightest handling. 
It should always be remembered that an over-tender mouth may easily be 
altered for the better, while a dull one will remain so in spite of all the 
expedients which may be adopted. The only sure way to arrive at a 
knowledge of this point in any individual horse is to ride him under the 
same circumstances as he will be required for. Some will display an 
excellent mouth when ridden singly on the road, while with hounds they 
will pull one’s arms off ; others, again, will be pleasant enough if allowed 
to sail along at best pace, but cannot be kept away from the hounds 
without showing temper and disregarding the bit. It is, therefore, not 
only necessary to ascertain the nature of the mouth when the animal is 
not excited, but also to try it when he is wound up to the highest pitch ; 
and a disregard of this precaution is constantly leading to disappointment. 
THE IRISH HUNTER. 
_ Berween Tax Encuisn AnD Irish Hunrer there are several slight points 
of difference. Thus the latter is remarkable for a particularly neat head, 
aunost too narrow across the forehead, but full between the ears. The 
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