152 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



joint, two actions which help to prevent the horse falling 

 when he lands over a jump. The muscles over the loins 

 behind the saddle should be particularly strong. The 

 hocks should be large and gaskins broad. 



The following is a detailed description of the points of an 

 ideal Hunter : Head. Ears fine, not too large, approach- 

 ing each other at the tips, when thrown forward ; cranium 

 broad and nicely rounded ; forehead flat and broad ; eyes 

 wide apart, prominent and bold in expression ; nasal bones 

 straight in front, but slightly dished on lateral surfaces; 

 nostrils firm, large and flexible, of large capacity when the 

 animal is excited ; lips firm, mouth medium-sized ; muzzle 

 small and tapering; cheeks well but not too heavily 

 clothed with hard, well-developed muscles; branches of 

 lower jaw well spread apart at their angles. Neck. 

 Clean-cut and rangy ; crest well developed and whipcordy, 

 but not so heavy as in other classes ; head well attached to 

 neck in a graceful, angular manner; jugular gutter well 

 developed. Withers. Well developed, high, and not 

 too wide on top. The withers should be sloping and of 

 such form that the saddle may be placed well back over the 

 center of gravity, which is especially desirable in negotiat- 

 ing timber. Shoulders. Long and oblique, so as to give 

 easy action; shoulder-blades well covered with muscles. 

 Chest. Deep, giving good girths, with a well-filled breast. 

 Arm. Thrown well forward, so as to give an oblique shoul- 

 der. Forearm. Long, well developed and strong, well 

 clothed with hard, well-developed muscles, having grooves 

 of demarcation between them, showing the outlines of 

 each individual muscle. Knee. Clean, straight, large 

 and strong in all directions, the bone forming the back part 

 being somewhat prominent. Knee to fetlock joint. 

 Cannon short, broad, flat and clean; tendons standing 



