CHAPTER XXXIV. 

 THE HUNTER AND POLO PONY. 



The hunter and polo pony differ rather markedly from the 

 two types of saddle horses described in the preceding chapter, 

 largely because they are required to do work of a highly special- 

 ized nature in which performance is of greater importance and 

 beauty less valued than with the gaited horse and park hack. 

 Hence, the hunter and polo pony are given separate considera- 

 tion in order that their peculiarities of type and requirements 

 may be better emphasized. 



The Hunter. 



The hunter is the type used in following the hounds in fox 

 hunting. He must be up to carrying his rider at good speed 

 over long distances across country, jumping fences and ditches 

 when called upon to do so. Like the park hack, this is an Eng- 

 lish type. 



Although the American demand for this horse is some- 

 what limited, the supply is still more so, resulting in high prices 

 being paid for green horses of the hunter stamp. In England 

 the demand is great, and American horses of hunter type have 

 been much sought after by exporters. The English people 

 have invested many millions of dollars in the sport of fox hunt- 

 ing. There is an increasing demand for hunters in this country, 

 and the demand will continue to grow because fox hunting, 

 besides being a most healthful and invigorating amusement, is 

 also a fashionable and popular sport in many sections of the 

 country. It is estimated that within twenty-five miles of New 

 York there are six hundred to eight hundred hunters in daily 

 use, and that the suburbs of New York and Philadelphia total 

 nearly fifteen hundred such animals. Many are well worth 

 over $1,000, and a great majority are worth $400 to $500 each. 

 It is probable that this census represents from $750,000 to 

 $1,000,000 worth of horses for hunting. In Canada there are 

 hundreds of excellent hunters, and the sport is on the increase. 

 The Central West of the United States is beginning to take up 

 fox hunting, several hunt clubs having been organized in that 

 section during the last few years. 



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