HORSES; THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



obtained. Many Irish linnters are very clever, and numbers 

 of these hnd their \va\- into tlie Enghsh market j)ubhc or 

 private. 



As to lieiglit, mucli will depend upon the countr\- hunted, 

 and the height and weight of the rider. For a boy's hunter a 

 pony thirteen to fifteen hands is about right height, and the 

 stamp of pony rather light-legged. Equally important to tem- 

 perament, is that of the mouth. A hard-mouthed horse, no 

 matter whether it be a hunter, hack, or roadster, is not onl\' 

 objectionable, but often a very dangerous brute, as the writer, 

 amongst others, has experienced. I for one would not 

 purchase such a horse at any price. If not an actual cause of 

 danger, to ride or drive a horse of this class, converts icliat should 

 be a real pleasure into one of manual labour. 



A hard-mouthed horse though influenced, to some extent, 

 by careful " bitting," always remains practically the same. 

 Select a horse that readily respo)ids to the " aids,'' and don't spoil 

 him with an abuse of these when he does do so. About sixteen 

 hands may be put down as the average height for a hunter, but 

 in the horse jumping competitions at the Royal Agricultural 

 Society's Show the following classification is given : — Class A, 

 Mares and geldings, 15.2 hands and over. Class B, Mares and 

 geldings, above 14 hands, but under 15 2 hands. Class C, Pony 

 mares or geldings, 14.2 hands and under. To be measured 

 for height, but not examined for soundness. In the Hunter 

 Classes mares and geldings can be entered up to 14 stones and 

 upwards, and under 14 stones foaled before or during 1900. 



Brood mares undergo veterinary examination, and a hunter 

 will be disqualified if entered as a light weight, yet the judges 



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