THE CHARGER AND TROOPER 



117 



THE CHARGER AND TROOPER 



IT CANNOT BE SAID that any parllcular breed of horses merits this name, 

 but there are some characteristics which must always be looked for in a 

 horse intended for this purpose. Between the officer's charger and the 

 troop-horse of the private soldier the only difference is in the degree of 

 perfection to which the above points are carried, for there is no doubt that 

 the same qualities which are desirable in the one are also required in the 

 other. In the one case, however, there is a limit put to the price by 

 Government, while in the other, the purse of the officer is alone the measure 



THE CHARGER. 



of the extent to which the market may be searched. Two points are 

 specially desirable, namely, sufficient size and power to carry the heavy 

 weight of a dragoon or lifeguardsman triumphantly against opposing 

 cavalry ; and secondly, so much handiness at all paces that complete con- 

 trol of the horse may be maintained with the bridle-hand, while the sword, 

 lance, or carbine is used by the other. An officer's charger is usually 16 

 hands high, and of power proportioned to the weight he has to carry. His 

 hind-legs ought to be well under him, and his shoulders must be sloping 

 and powerful, with a head and neck well put together, and rising out of the 

 chest so as to give effect to the bridle. Such a horse is well displayed in 

 the engraving, which is from a painting of a well-known charger belonging 

 to an officer in the 1st Life Guards, by Mr. Barraud. Unless the hocks 



