116 THE HORSE 



afford to pay for what he regards as perfection would willingly ride a 

 pulling horse to hounds, and one that is also irritable at a check is still 

 more objectionable. Some horses will not wait for their turn at a gap or 

 gate, but, in spite of bit and heel, will rush at some part of the fence, and 

 thus jeopardize their riders. Such propensities are extremely disagreeable, 

 and condemn their possessors in the opinion of all men of experience. 

 Good manners generally are displayed when the head is well formed and 

 the expression of countenance is good, but an experienced eye alone can 

 judge of these particulars. 



Lastly, a good mouth should never be overlooked, and as the setting 

 on of the head is essential to perfection in this respect, a purchaser should 

 not omit to notice that fact, in selecting a hunter without a trial. Many 

 a horse's mouth is spoiled from attempting to alter the shape of the neck 

 by its means ; while, again, a too supple neck gives way so much that it 

 is difficult to get a mouth sufficiently dull to bear the slightest handling. 

 It should always be remembered that an over-tender mouth may easily be 

 altered for the better, while a dull one will remain so in spite of all the 

 expedients which may be adopted. The only sure way to arrive at a 

 knowledge of this point in any individual horse is to ride him under the 

 same circumstances as he will be required for. Some will display an 

 excellent mouth when ridden singly on the road, while with hounds they 

 will pull one's arms off; others, again, will be pleasant enough if allowed 

 to sail along at best pace, but cannot be kept away from the hounds 

 without showing temper and disregarding the bit. It is, therefore, not 

 only necessaiy to ascertain the nature of the mouth when the animal is 

 not excited, but also to try it when he is wound up to the highest pitch ; 

 and a disregard of this precaution is constantly leading to disappointment. 



THE IRISH HUNTER 



Between the English and Irish Hunter there are several slight points 

 of difference. Thus the latter is remarkable for a particularly neat head, 

 almost too narrow across the forehead, bub full between the ears. The 

 muzzle is small, but with good nostrils ; jaws open, and head well set on. 

 The shoulders are particularly sloping and powerful, middlepiece well 

 ribbed but slightly flat, hips wide and powerful, the loins also being mus- 

 cular and well united to the back. The croup is almost always sloping 

 and the tail set on low. Legs and feet clean and sound. With these 

 external characteristics a sour temper is often combined ; but the consti- 

 tution is almost always hard}'^, and the powers of jumping are of a high 

 order, displayed in height rather than in width. When an Irish hunter 

 can be obtained possessed of good manners, he is very valuable indeed, 

 but there is so much doubt on this point that a careful trial should always 

 be obtained. 



The Hunters' Improvement Society has done much to "promote the 

 breeding of riding, driving, and military horses." 



