HUNTERS, HACKS; POLO PONIES. 229 



distances up to perhaps fifteen or twenty miles, 

 requires a high order of intelligence, stamina 

 and much education. It is small wonder then 

 that high-class hunting horses bring very long- 

 prices. 



Hunters are of two classes — light and heavy- 

 weight carriers, the dividing line being fixed at 

 about 160 pounds. This is to say that a horse 

 capable of doing well over a country carrying 

 a man weighing less than 160 pounds is called 

 a light-weight hunter, and one that can carry 

 more, a heavy-weight hunter. Of course the 

 more weight a horse can pack away in the sad- 

 dle, go fast and stand up under, the more valua- 

 ble he is. 



The hack is merely a pleasant riding horse, 

 good looking along the lines already described 

 and able to get over the ground at a lively pace. 



The polo pony commands high prices. He 

 must stand 14.2 hands or under and he must 

 have speed, great intelligence and an aptitude 

 for dodging, swerving and wheeling around on 

 a dead run. The game of polo, in which he is 

 used, is a most exciting sport. It is played with 

 four men on a side, each armed with a long- 

 handled mallet, and the object is to drive a 

 wooden ball between goal posts. It is essen- 

 tially a rich man's game, and long prices are 

 paid for ponies of the requisite size, speed, 

 courage and adroitness of motion. Some of 

 the best polo ponies in 'the world are bred on 

 American ranches. The very best are got by 

 Thoroughbred stallions and reared under suit- 

 able conditions of treatment and care. Often, 



