54 LETTERS TO YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



VII. 



BUYING AND CONDITIONING THE MOUNT. 



IN this letter you and I will sally forth together to buy 

 a horse. Before we start, we will read together an 

 advertisement which appeared quite recently in a well 

 known paper. It will not be a bad guide for us. "Wanted 

 at once, 12 thoroughbred or nearly thoroughbred horses, 

 not under 16 hands, up to 13 stone or over, suitable for 

 hunting. Must have long straight action, long fronts, deep 

 shoulders, good flat limbs, short backs, straight hind legs, 

 not over nine or under five years, and of the highest possible 

 quality, with courage, character and action. Prices moderate. 

 All horses must be sound." Mind you, not one such but a 

 dozen. I much doubt whether there are twelve horses in 

 Great Britain, at any price, which would answer this modest 

 requirement. Do not buy horses out of proportion to your 

 weight. If you are a light-weight — say, walking 10J stone 

 to 11 stone — keep clear of big, powerful horses. They cost 

 more and are never so nice to ride as a horse which suits your 

 weight. A big horse will tire you, and you will never feel 

 part of the horse but more of a passenger. Sixteen hands 

 or an inch less is big enough. Above all, let the horse be 

 well bred. A well bred animal is more active, more comfort- 

 able, and always has a leg to spare. Action is everything, 

 action in all paces. Action means that the system of levers 

 comprising the bony frame, tendons and ligaments are truly 

 proportioned. Exercise and condition will cover that frame 

 in time with muscles which give the horse strength and 

 fleetness, but if the action is faulty nothing will conceal it. 

 Do not buy a young horse ; he has all his troubles 

 before him. Six years old is young enough, and if 

 sound and fresh on his legs he is as good at eight or 



