THE T.TFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Hargrave. — ' Yes ; what cliance would you or any other gentle- 

 man have in bettino- with men who pay annually large sums to 

 trainers for information as to trials, etc. ? A dead loss, depend 

 on it. Frank.' 



Jack Webber. — 'I think so, too Stick to the box and the 

 pigskin, Frank, and don't put it in the power of those fellows 

 to ruin you first, and laugh at you afterwards, as they have done 

 by poor Raymond. I understand he has lost his last shilling, 

 and is at this time in prison.' 



Frank Mabij. — ' For a heavy sura ? ' 



Jack Webber. — ' I know not for what amount, but ' 



Sir John. — ' Well, let us drop this subject, and have a little 

 coaching talk. Give us your opinion, Jack, of what a coach- 

 horse should be. You have not only a good eye to shape and 

 make, but your two years' constant work must have given you 

 an advantage over us amateurs — even over one of such long 

 standing as mine, for I have been at it, now, better than eight 

 years.' 



Jack Webber. — ' The first requisite in a coach-horse is action. 

 The second, substance, because horses draw by their weight and 

 not by the mere force of their muscles, but action is necessary 

 to perpetuate this force. Thirdly, good legs and feet, with 

 power and breeding equal to the nature and length of the 

 ground or stage on which they are to work. Lastly, wind. 

 Without good wind all the other properties are of no avail in 

 a coach-horse required to go fast ; for, let its strength be what 

 it may, it will not avail much after the first five miles, if he 

 have not good wind. A good winded coach-horse will always 

 keep up his condition, because he is never distressed on any 

 reasonable length of ground. Sound legs and feet are very 

 necessary for wheel-horses, especially on hilly roads ; but I 

 have driven many a good and safe-footed, bad-legged leader, 

 which has been a free worker, running well up to his bit. 

 I consider fifteen hands two inches to be the best size for a 

 horse for light coaches and quick work ; but would prefer 

 sixteen hands for heavy coaches and slow work.' 



Frank Raby. — 'You have said nothing of the mouth.' 



Jack Webber. — ' Oh, we must take mouths as we find them, in 

 regular work. We like what we call "cheek horses," when we 

 can get them, but we manoeuvre them in the best wa}'" we can, 

 when we find them queer ; and with the help of check-reins, 



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