66 THE HORSE 



Naturally what may appeal to one man is thoroughly 

 disliked by another one. The " Jack My t ton " type of 

 rider likes one of the " Hell-for-Leather Brigade," but it 

 is just as well that members of that fraternity are not too 

 prevalent. 



As a saddle horse the British-bred animal has no equal, 

 no matter v/hether it be a pony 9 or 10 hands, or a horse 

 16 hands or over. The height of a hack must correspond 

 to the height of the rider. For instance, a man whose 

 height is say five feet seven inches will look much better 

 upon a horse 15 hands than he would upon one over 

 16 hands. This is a fact that should never be lost sight 

 of when contemplating buying a horse of this class. Sex 

 is unimportant, but a gelding is to be preferred when 

 obtainable, although this must not be allowed to stand 

 in the way if the animal is suitable in other respects. 

 Som.etimes mares are a bit of a nuisance in summer. 

 The best age is six or seven years old, but some prefer to 

 buy at four or five years. A well-seasoned hack must be 

 seven or eight years, and if it has been taken proper care 

 of, used but not abused in its youth, it should be good 

 for service during the next ten years — sometimes more, 

 sometimes less. As to colour, the author certainly 

 prefers bay, followed by chestnut (golden), hver ditto, 

 brown, grey, black, and lastly dun to nearly chestnut, 

 roan (red or blue). Piebalds and Skewbalds look better 

 in a circus ring than on the road. Mouth most important. 

 A hard mouth and the animal that " bores " is very 

 objectionable. A saddle horse for a boy of twelve to 

 fifteen years should be well broken and good tempered, 

 and not less than five or six years old. A thoroughbred 

 pony, say 15 hands, will suit some boys. Hacks suitable 

 for children can be bought as Shetland ponies, Welsh, 

 Exmoor and Highland ponies, but one must take particu- 

 lar care to ascertain that a pony required for this purpose 

 is free from any form of vice. High action, i.e. action 

 coming from the knees or hocks is not a desirable feature 



