26 Horse and Hound, 



In the selection or judging of a hunter the 

 following points should be considered. 



If a horse has a small, lean, finely chiseled 

 forehead, and rather wide nostrils, and small, 

 thin, evenly shaped ears, it is an indication of 

 high breeding, though a horse may show high 

 breeding without possessing qualities one would 

 naturally expect to be present, especially in a high- 

 class hunter. 



The expression of the eye generally indicates 

 the character of the horse. Narrow eyes, set far 

 back in the sockets, and those exposing much 

 white of eye frequently indicate vicious tempera- 

 ment. A round, full, mild eye in a prominent 

 socket indicates a tractable, bold, fearless dispo- 

 sition, qualities much to be desired in a hunter. 



Neck should be long though strong, placed 

 and carried more like the thoroughbred than the 

 harness or saddle horse. This allows one to lean 

 forward on the rise in jumping, so necessary to 

 balance of both horse and rider, without risk of 

 being struck in the face. 



It is absolutely necessary that a hunter have 

 long and oblique shoulders ; they reduce the con- 

 cussion to both rider and horse, as do long, slant- 

 ing pasterns, and add to the years of usefulness of 

 a hunter afield. 



Feet should be straight, neither in nor out, 

 and elbows placed to insure perfect freedom of 

 movement. 



