THE HUNTER 85 



SO long as they see another horse in front of them. 

 But they seldom are safe jumpers, as they have got 

 into the habit of brushing their fences and galloping 

 through hurdles, and regard a water-jump in the 

 hunting-field as that 



" Shallow dug pan with a hurdle to screen it, 

 That cocktail imposture, the steeple-chase brook." 



Owners of racing stables will doubtless blame us 

 for making these remarks, but they know perfectly 

 well that they don't get rid of horses unless they 

 have sufficient reason for doing so. 



Never buy a horse without having the opinion of a 

 good veterinary surgeon. "VVe have heard and read 

 many statements to the effect that "vets" are con- 

 stantly bribed by horse-dealers. This may be so, on 

 the principle that every man has his price and that 

 there are black sheep in every fold; but we do not 

 suspect our doctor of poisoning us when he gives us 

 medicine ; why, then, should we suspect our " vet." of 

 swindling us when he gives us an opinion about a 

 horse ? Now, we hold no brief for the defence of 

 " vets," nor do we know that there is any necessity 

 for defendincj them, but we warn the novice that there 

 are certain facts in regard to a horse whicli nobody 

 but a professional expert can enlighten him upon. 

 Tor example, we do not believe that anybody but a 

 " vet " can judge the eyesight of a horse. Therefore 

 do not grudge your " vet " his fee. 



If a man buys a horse during the hunting season, he 

 should stipulate that he has at least one day's hunting 

 on him before completing the purchase. Unless the 



