The Hunter: His Conformation 33 



The reason why ladies in riding cross country to hounds 

 are so uniformly successful in negotiating fences without 

 falls is owing undoubtedly to their sitting sideways on the 

 horse; that is to say, the centre of gravity of the rider is 

 more generally brought over the centre of gravity of the 

 horse than in the case of men, who, riding astride, sit more 

 forward, especially if they ride with long stirrups. 



We shall have occasion to refer to this matter again 

 when speaking of " Seat " and ** Jumping Fences." The 

 whole thing is summed up: Select a horse with withers 

 running well back and fore legs well forward of the girth ; 

 these points secured, the shoulders may be left to take care 

 of themselves. It is doubtful if the mere slant of the 

 shoulder-blades plays any great part in the conformation of 

 a hunter. It must be said, however, that the right sort of 

 withers are more often found in company with slanting 

 shoulders than otherwise. 



As for hips, do not turn your back on a horse with 

 rather ragged hips and a sloping rump. They are not pretty 

 or symmetrical, but if they carry the muscle well down to 

 the hocks, you generally find that such a horse can gather 

 his legs well under him for a spring, as shown at page i 18. 

 This is one of the chief characteristics of the Irish hunter, 

 and for fencing he has no equal. 



It is hardly necessary to mention legs, those necessary 

 auxiliaries to a horse. Plenty of bone and especially large 

 knee and hock joints are most desirable. Pasterns on the 

 long side for choice, and plenty of room between elbow-joint 

 and body, are desirable. Do not be over-particular about 

 splints or even curbs. The former are found on three- and 



