AGE 335 



docility, and quick perception, all which the bom 

 hunter must not only possess, but be able to apply 

 such according to circumstances. 



Although the author does not intend to trespass 

 upon the subject of soundness in the hunter, he 

 cannot refrain from mentioning the importance of 

 three essentials — viz. sound sight, sound wind, and 

 a sound heart. 



If a hunter's clock is not sound, a catastrophe is 

 almost sure to happen. If its sight is defective it is 

 very liable to misjudge distance, or to make a false 

 jump. If its wind is not normal, it not only becomes 

 an annoyance to its rider, but it is liable, under severe 

 exertion, to sudden collapse. 



We refer to roaring, yet willingly admit that many 

 roarers are excellent hunters. 



Temperament plays an equally important part, not 

 only for the safety of other horses, but also for that 

 of the hounds, likewise the rider, as more than one 

 man has been kicked to death by his own horse, after 

 a fall from it. 



The moral is, avoid purchasing a vicious hunter. 

 Abilities to perform necessarily stand pre-eminent 

 — otherwise no hunter. 



An elderly gentleman, or one of nervous tempera- 

 ment, ought to select what is known as a " seasoned " 

 hunter, say a gelding at seven or eight years, that 

 has been carefully used ; and much the same remarks 

 apply to the ladies' hunter ; but younger men 

 generally prefer a hunter of about five years, very 

 often schooling it themselves for, say, two years. 



