46 UNASKED ADVICE. 



whicli lasts tliem their lifetime^ and depreciates them 

 infinitely in value. 



The make and shape of the light-weight hunter only 

 dififer from those of the weight-carrier in the amount of 

 physical strength represented by each. In the thorough- 

 bred hunter_, as in the case of the stronger one, shoulders 

 are of the first importance. No horse with short or 

 straight shoulders can stretch himself out over an unex- 

 pectedly wide ditch : or, if he does manage it, he will 

 probably overjump himself, and give his rider a disagree- 

 able fall. A strong back and loins, with hocks well 

 under him, are necessaries to any horse who has to go 

 across country. Deep back ribs almost always denote 

 the good doer ; light ones the reverse. The foot, for 

 heavy or light weight, must have plenty of horn, and be 

 pretty strong at the heels. A perfect hunter should have 

 a perfect temper, must never refuse, nor kick hounds nor 

 horses, and, after the day is over, must hack pleasantly 

 home, and eat his corn and lie down when he gets there. 

 But perfection among hunters is uncommon, and most 

 sportsmen will find themselves forced to put up with the 

 nearest approach to it that they can find, in the posses- 

 sion of which they had better " rest and be thankful,^^ 

 instead of wasting energies and money in the pursuit of 

 the unattainable. 



THE WEIGHT-CARRYING HUNTER. 



The great criterion of a hunter^s value for sale is the 

 amount of weight he can carry. Clever jumping- weeds 

 are to be had every day, and almost everywhere, at little 

 money; but a horse up to weight will always command a 



