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CHAPTER VI. 

 THE HUNTER. 



Although a hunter need not be of any particular breed, he 

 should be chosen from the best horses. My advice to a man 

 who wants to hunt is to select a horse which has been born, 

 reared and trained in the country where the hunting is to take 

 place. Horses, like men, have natural capabilities which 

 correspond to the climate and nature of their native land. If 

 they are sent elsewhere they will lose these qualities, without 

 being able to acquire those of the animals which were born in 

 the place. 



Let us take for instance the small horse of the Pyrennees, 

 which has marvellous qualities. In his own country he is 

 clever, active, very sure-footed and temperate, and in the 

 country about Pau he makes a first-rate hunter ; but if he is 

 taken to Rome or Vendee he will lose some of his good 

 qualities. It is the same with all other breeds of horses. 

 Therefore, for hunting, take a horse of the country. The 

 English hunter is the only animal which is good in all 

 countries, and which preserves his good qualities, no matter 

 what is the nature of the sport. He combines almost all the 

 desirable points. He is nearly thorough-bred, although his 

 shape and make are not what we would look for in a race 

 horse, vi^hich has plenty of daylight under him. The hunter 



