ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



by driving him forwards, test the strength of 

 his hinder parts ; if he resents being collected, 

 suspect his loins or hocks. Afterwards jump 

 him, and if he gives you a comfortable ride and 

 a feeling of confidence — trust, as a rule, to first 

 impressions — have him examined by a first-class 

 veterinary, and buy him if passed sound. Prefer 

 a horse whose legs darken in colour towards 

 the hoof. 



A perfect shaped hunter is of course hard 

 to find and an expensive article, and in order 

 to mount himself well and economically, a man 

 must have a knowledge of compensation ; he 

 must know where to look for extra strength, 

 should any one part of a horse be defective and 

 weak ; e.g. t weak forelegs do not so much 

 matter if the horse has good sloping shoulders, 

 a well-placed arm, and strong loins and hocks. 

 Again, well-sprung ribs compensate for some- 

 what short back ribs. 



In a cramped plough country, where a horse 

 has often to jump from a stand, generally over 

 ditches or low fences, strong loins and hocks are 

 a necessity, extra good shoulders a luxury ; 

 whereas in a flying country, where a horse 

 has to jump up into the air, and descend again, 

 good shoulders are in the case of most horses a 

 necessity, and save many a fall. 



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