307 



have been in a better position to express an opinion upon such a subject 

 than he. At the same time there can be no gainsaying the fact that, 

 assuming the trial horse is in form and willing, trials must be regarded 

 as being very valuable guides to trainers in estimating the merits of their 

 charges, though, it may be repeated, there is a tendency on the part of 

 many supporters of the Turf to attach a great deal too much importance 

 to the results of home efforts. 



SCHOOLING THE HUNTER 



The earlier days of the hunter that is to be are beyond all question 

 far happier than those of any other breed of horse, and, in fact, until old 



Fig. 567. Key Bit 



Fig. 568. Cavesson 



age or accident has rendered him unfit for work, a horse of this variety 

 may be regarded as the most fortunate of all the members of the equine 

 world. For, at all events, the whole of the first twelve months of his 

 existence the hunter is permitted to enjoy a life of absolute immunity 

 from all annoyance, the best of everything being provided for him in the 

 way of good pasture and keep; and, though he may have been handled by 

 his attendant, it is not the custom to attempt to lead him until he is well 

 into his second year. Having then accustomed him to the feel of a bit 

 (fig. 567) in his mouth, and to wearing a cavesson (fig. 568) or a head-stall 

 and a surcingle as described in the chapter on Training the Trotter, the 

 youngster should be well initiated into the mysteries of long driving-reins 

 before being subjected to the lunging operations which are regarded as 

 indispensable to the education of the future hunter. It is desirable, how- 

 ever, that the colt or filly should be pretty steady in the driving-reins 

 before lunging commences, as the latter takes a good deal more than many 



