THE COLONIAL HORSE 



191 



the character of the country admits of hunting, there are packs 

 of foxhounds which afford good sport to those who enjoy a 

 gallop over a stiff country. The Melbourne hounds hunt the 

 stag or draw the scrub coverts for wild dogs or kangaroo, but 

 in most countries the scarcity of ' the necessary animal ' obliges 

 sportsmen to content themselves with a drag, which is trailed 

 by a well-mounted horseman, who leads his field over a 

 succession of stiff posts and rails or flying jumps. The hounds 

 travel over the pasture-fields at a great pace ; it requires a man 

 to be well mounted to keep with the pack. An ordinary 

 animal would be altogether out of place in such company. 





To use his hind legs. 



Most of the horses ridden by farmers and stock-drivers may 

 fairly be classed as hunters, for a gallop with the greyhounds 

 or a chase after a kangaroo often terminates the day's work at 

 up-country stations. From these causes there is no lack of 

 horses capable of carrying men to hounds, but whether it is 

 the effect of the climate or the result of light breeding, there are 

 comparatively few that might be considered valuable as weight- 

 carriers. 



In Victoria red deer have been imported from home, 

 and have provided some excellent runs for the drag-hounds. 

 Here is an account of an exciting scene which took place last 

 season : 



