330 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



always more difficult to procure, and command higher 

 prices, especially if brilliant performers, several 

 hundred guineas frequently being paid for such. 



Boys' hunters may range from 12^ to 14.2 hands in 

 height, whilst for short, light-weight men, 15^ hands to 

 15.3 hands may be taken approximately as the height ; 

 but the height of a hunter is quite subsidiary to that 

 of its build, although, as previously stated, the nature 

 of the country in which the horse has to be used 

 must be the guide. 



Where the fences are high, tall horses are necessary, 

 but build must not be sacrificed to this. 



Some hunters are nearly 17 hands, but a short man 

 on a tall horse never looks well, either in or out of 

 the hunting field, and most hunting men value their 

 appearance in the saddle, more especially if the meet 

 is attended by ladies. 



When selecting a hunter pay particular attention 

 to its conformation — good conformation being of 

 paramount importance, whilst action is equally so. 

 Both are more important than even absolute soundness, 

 though the writer beheves and always advises the 

 selection of the soundest animal obtainable. 



The head should be light, a heavy head in a hunter 

 being most obj ectionable ; the forehead straight ; the 

 eyes large and full ; the ears erect, thin, and covered 

 with thin hair ; whilst the skin covering the head 

 and face should also be thin, rendering the various 

 prominences upon the skull easily felt, and readily 

 seen. 



The high-class hunter should have a mild, keen. 



