HUNTERS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 



for a boy, or for a girl, it is necessary to consider 

 the age and temperament of the rider. It may 

 be accepted as a rule without any exception, that 

 freedom from vice of all kinds is of paramount 

 importance. Any man disposing of a hunter for 

 a boy or a girl which he knows very well is 

 unsafe, is practically guilty of a crime, the 

 penalty of which he ought to be made to suffer, 

 in the event of any misfortune arising. To look 

 well, youth requires a hunter proportionate in 

 height to that of the person riding it. The 

 typical boy's hunter should be one bred upon 

 thoroughbred lines; schooled to the work it is 

 required to perform ; aged rather than otherwise ; 

 and in temperament absolutely reliable under all 

 conditions. Many ponies at twelve and thirteen 

 hands, of no particular type so far as breed goes, 

 are sold as boys' saddle-hacks and hunters. The 

 reason why the writer has advocated the use of 

 thoroughbred ponies, is owing to the fact that 

 they are generally very good jumpers, and that 

 the I weight they have to carry readily comes 

 within their limit. Doubtless some men will 

 argue that such ponies usually possess too much 

 " mettle " for a boy's or girl's hunter, unless ,the 



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