HUNTERS 



rider possesses plenty of pluck and confidence in 

 his own abilities to manage a pony of the type 

 referred to. Less objection would unquestion- 

 ably be raised against a pony of three-quarter or 

 even half thoroughbred blood. Regarding colour 

 and sex, these are more a matter of individual 

 preference, but bay, black, brown, chestnut, are 

 those in most general use, whilst white, grey, 

 roan, and dun, are in less demand. In the 

 writer's opinion there is nothing to equal bay, 

 chestnut and brown. As to sex, geldings are 

 preferable to mares, though the prices are slightly 

 higher. There is not much difficulty experienced, 

 as a rule, in teaching ponies to jump, in fact, 

 it may be accepted as true that few, if any, 

 ponies are unable to do so. The best method 

 of training comprises daily exercises in hurdle 

 jumping, gradually increasing the height of 

 the jumps as the tuition becomes better under- 

 stood. Some boys, and possibly girls, are of an 

 ambitious nature, and may be tempted to perform 

 feats of horsemanship quite beyond the range of 

 their powers. In any case, it is a good plan, 

 during the schooling of boys' hunters, to train 

 them to jump up to about four feet. 



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