THE HUNTER 



them. Good substantial (broad below), sound, well built 

 hocks, are very necessary for a horse of the chase. 



Bone spavin is objectionable, no matter what views one may 

 entertain regarding it, and it is needless to say that the majority 

 of veterinary practitioners condemn for it. 



If a hunter cannot get his hocks ivell up and well under him, 

 he or she — as the case may apply — is not much good for 

 jumping, though it may be all right for dodging around the 

 covert side, certainly not for a Nimrod or Jack Mytton. 



Regarding the soundness of hunters, it is necessary to say a 

 few words. A hunter ought to be sound in heart, lungs, and eyes, 

 more commonly put as sound in wind and sight. If the heart 

 is not healthy, the " wind " will not be right, though the animal 

 may neither be a " roarer," whistler, nor broken winded. During 

 severe or prolonged exertion, if the heart is not sound, an 

 attack of cardiac syncope may come on, and the animal tumble 

 at his jump. 



// is of vital importance to the hunting man to have his 

 horse's " clock " all right. An intermittent, or an irregular 

 pulse is quite sufficient to condemn a hunter. Apart from a 

 speculative opinion as to what " might happen," the lungs are 

 not properly supplied with blood when the heart is enfeebled. 

 Roaring arises through a variety of causes, commonly through 

 organic changes of certain muscles adjusting the larynx, in all 

 probability, through defective nerve force. Although many 

 hunters make a " noise," the value of such — commercially at 

 least — is small, and the author does not advise anyone to pur- 

 chase, unless it be a rider that does not object to this embarrassed 

 breathing. Very careful examination of eyes should be made, 



73 



