HUNTER. 63 



head is set on ; the mouth deep, and the jaws 

 wide, that he may be light in hand. 



The back shoukl be short (yet not a too short 

 horse), but the spine straight. 



The withers must be as high, and the shoul- 

 der as slanting, with as much substance (not 

 thick and cloddy) as the charger's. These two 

 points, with a fine chest, are most requisite, 

 both in the charger and hunter, that the saddle 

 may be carried in its proper place. The charger 

 is always kicking, and his tail becoming galled 

 by the crupper, when the saddle presses forward, 

 and the hunter, in a leap, not having a crupper, 

 may have the saddle and rider thrown on the 

 withers, and fall topsy-turvy in consequence. 



The distance between the knee and fetlock 

 need not be so short as in the racer ; for the 

 hunter (though not required to have the high 

 action of a charger) must lift his legs well. 

 This is a point, however, that is seldom found 

 too short, and in a racer never. 



As high caste and excellence of build can 

 very seldom be obtained, and quite as seldom 

 afforded, attend, 



In the Hunter, first to the fore parts : the 

 well set-on head and neck, slanting shoulders, 

 weH "placed fore legs, and good, open, tough feet. 



