THOUGHTS ON HUNTERS 



all of which are centred upon the framework or 

 skeleton of the animal. Therefore the larger the 

 skeletal area, the better the animal will be fitted 

 to do its work. In turning one's thoughts to the 

 feet, the old maxim, *' no foot, no horse," seems 

 to confront us, probably because of its expres- 

 siveness. Some hunters have feet that are too 

 small, others too large, whilst not a few have 

 badly formed feet, or it may be, toes that turn 

 inwards or outwards, neither of which directions 

 are conducive towards good action, which like 

 good manners, is a sine qua non. The feet should 

 be proportionate to the size of the animal, well 

 opened at the heels, sound in the wall, concave 

 in the sole, yield freely to the thumb when pressed 

 at the lateral cartilages, have a well-developed 

 foot-pad (frog) and the toes looking directly 

 forw^ards. Some hunters have odd feet, one 

 being slightly larger than the other. This may 

 be either normal or abnormal, and the decision 

 must be based upon circumstances. Turning one's 

 thoughts to other parts of the hunter's anatomy, 

 the withers, the back, the loins, the quarters, 

 the brisket, the chest, the ribs, and the flank, are 

 all worthy of consideration and reflection, though 



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