2 THE PRACTICAL HOUSE KEEPER. 



be over-estimated ; but when tbey are produced merely to serve 

 as objects with which to gamble, merely for speed for short 

 distances, with light weights on theif backs, and not to exhibit 

 strength and endurance — qualities so necessary in other horses 

 — then they are of comparatively little value. 



THE HUNTER. 



There can be no doubt that a perfect hunter should be a 

 perfect horse, combining in himself the qualities of speed, 

 strength, endurance, and good temper; w4th excellent action, 

 to ensure safety and certainty in going over broken ground, 

 and in overcoming high or wide obstacles. In outline and 

 build, as a w^iole and in detail, his conformation should be 

 faultless, and that which secures velocity, vigour, stability, and 

 promptitude in movement ; while his intelligence and docility 

 should be highly developed, and be associated with that very 

 precious characteristic of a well-trained horse — a good mouth. 



As has often been remarked, there is little difficulty in 

 buying what is called a " made hunter," if the buyer has the 

 money and is willing to expend it in obtaining such an animal. 

 But though a " made hunter " can be bought, and, indeed, is so 

 in the great majority of instances, yet it not unfrequently 

 happens that, notwithstanding his jumping and galloping 

 qualities being all that are desirable, he has a " hard mouth," 

 and is not easily controlled in the hunting field. So serious is 

 this fault sometimes, that a horse otherwise an excellent 

 hunter is positively dangerous. When in view of a fence, for 

 instance, he will seize the bit between his jaws and rush wildly 

 at the obstacle at the rate of twenty miles an hour, in spite of 

 his rider's attempts to moderate his pace and steady him. 

 Well may a hunting man exclaim : I should like to know what 

 pleasure can be derived from riding such a brute ! It takes all 

 a man can do to moderate the animal's pace ; it requires two 



