lot THE BARB AND THE BEIDLE. 



their jump, are hot-headed, or intemperate in any way, are utterly 

 unfit for a lady to attempt leaping with, either indoors or out. 

 There should be blood and quality undoubtedly, as well as substance 

 and power, but these must be joined to the best of temper. Pos- 

 sibly the very perfection of a horse exists in that wonderful little 

 animal the Lamb, who has just exhibited at LiverjDOol the most 

 extraordinary feats of cleverness and endurance, coupled with 

 splendid action, speed, and temper, ever yet sho"wii by any horse. 

 The form in which, galloping at top speed, he jumped over two 

 horses lying Jwrs de combat right in his way, and cleared both and 

 their riders without further injury to any, will live always in the 

 memory of those who witnessed it ; while his unflinching and deter- 

 mined effort to win under a weight that scarcely admitted of hope 

 stamp the Lamb as a horse without equal in our day. In my 

 opinion no price in reason could be too much to ask or give for such 

 animal. 



A short time ago I had the great honoiu" and privilege accorded 

 me by his noble owner of a close inspection at his private training 

 quarters of this unrivalled little equine gem ; and I am bound to say 

 that, although I never quite believed in perfection of a horse until I 

 saw the action, manner, and general form of the Lamb, as far as my 

 judgment or experience goes, I freely accord to him the palm over 

 every horse I have seen in a lifetime spent among horseflesh in one 

 quarter or another of the world ; but, although it is not possible in 

 my humble opinion to find his equal as a cross-country horse, our 

 endeavours should be directed to obtain for a lady hunter that wliich 

 approximates most closely to the Lamb. Let me briefly point out 

 what are the qualities that render such horses the fittest for carrying 

 a lady to hounds. 



Li the first place, the connecting points of such an animal are so 

 true in their relative adjustment, that while in galloping he does not 

 claniber or fight the air, he goes with action so safe as always to 

 clear any of those apparently insignificant obstacles, which too often 

 bring to grief a gallant-looking steed and his fair rider. When 

 " ridge and furrow " (as must sometimes occur) run the wrong way, 

 he can go safe from land to land ; and this is of greater consequence 



