19 



space should be sufficient to allow of the insertion of the full length 

 of an outstretched forefinger. All first-rate " stayers " have such room 

 in this region. 



A strong constitution is an absolute necessity for an Hunter. He 

 must be able to withstand the fatigue of prolonged and severe exertion, 

 to go many hours without food, and then to be able to feed and rest 

 on his return to the stable. No horse can do this unless he has an 

 ample middle-piece, and though one with light back-ribs may be a 

 brilliant performer, he will require an unduly prolonged holiday 

 after each day in the hunting field. In this respect the value of an 

 Arabian cross is pronounced. Of all horses Arabs bear "hardship 

 and fatigue the best, another strong point being the docility and 

 sagacity with which their progeny is endowed, attributes of the 

 greatest importance in a Hunter. The want of size in their 

 immediate descendants is, however, a drawback that the ordinary 

 breeder cannot afford to overlook. 



Cross-bred Hunters. The man who means to be up with hounds, 

 however fast they run, whatever the state of the ground, aud 

 however large or intricate the fences, must have a horse that is 

 quite Thoroughbred or very nearly so, such horses for instance, as 

 many of those which have made Ireland famous,- and as those which 

 were and are associated with several famous Yorkshire hunting 

 studs. While this is so, it must be remembered that comparatively 

 few of those who compose an ordinary field are thus ambitious, 

 and the majority are satisfied with a comfortable mount which 

 looks well at the Meet, can jump moderate-sized fences with 

 safety, is a good hack and thoroughly sound, and cross-bred 

 animals are equal to their requirements. In breeding such horses, 

 there is little doubt as to the most desirable type of sire a 

 Thoroughbred but often there is difficulty and difference of 

 opinion in obtaining suitable mares. Occasionally, good Hunters 

 are bred from light cart mares, but while the plan may be 

 successful now and again, there are many misfits. Many excellent 

 animals are bred from a pony cross, but it is difficult in this 

 case to obtain the requisite size and weight. Generally speaking, 

 ing, the safest plan is to start with a mare of proved worth 

 in the hunting field, and if possible, descended from mares 

 which have also been hunted. Such a mare should be mated 

 with a powerful Thoroughbred of a good riding type, preferably 

 one whose courage and spirit have been proved on the racecourse. 

 This latter is the only way in which the sire can be tested, but a 

 horse should not be selected for his performances alone ; it is 

 essential he should have the conformation and the action of a riding 

 horse, and sufficient bone and weight. 



The Hunters' Improvement and National Light Horse Breeding 

 Society exists to improve the breed and to promote the breeding of 

 Hunters and other horses used for riding and driving and for 

 military purposes. It holds an Annual Show in London, pub- 

 lishes stud books of hunter-bred stallions, mares, and geldings, 

 and uses means to induce the various agricultural societies to offer 

 prizes at their shows for mares and young stock. 



The Royal Commission on Horse-Breeding up to 1911 adminis- 

 tered an annual grant of 5,000 for promoting the interests of light 

 30564 B 2 



