SELECTING. 5 



Respecting soundness, though feeling fully compe- 

 tent myself to judge of the matter, I consider the half- 

 guinea fee to a veterinary surgeon well-laid-out money, 

 to obtain his professional opinion and a certificate of 

 the state of an animal, when purchasing a horse of any 

 value. 



The Hack for Draught ought to be as well formed as 

 the one just described; but a much heavier shoulder and 

 forehand altogether are admissible. 



No one should ever for a moment think of putting 

 any harness-horse into a private vehicle, no matter what 

 his seller's recommendation, without first having him 

 out in a single or double break, as the case may be, 

 and seeing him driven, as well as driving him himself, 

 to make acquaintance with the animal — in fact, to find 

 him. out. 



The Hunter, like the hack, should be particularly 

 well-formed before the saddle. He should be deep in 

 the girth, strong in the loins, with full development of 

 thigh, short and flat in the canon joint from the knee 

 to the pastern, with large flat hocks and sound fore 

 legs. This animal, like the road-horse, should lift his 

 feet clear of the ground and walk independently, with 

 evidence of great propelling power in the hind legs 

 when put into a canter or gallop. 



A differently-shaped animal is required for each kind 

 of country over which his rider has to be carried. In 

 the midland counties and Yorkshire, the large three- 

 quarter or thoroughbred horse only will be found to 

 have pace and strength enough to keep his place. In 

 close countries, such as the south, south-west, and part 



between his fore legs, the neck being over-arched, goes where he 

 pleases : such is called by horsemen " a borer." 



