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neither be too long nor too short. When they are 

 very long they are generally weak, and when short 

 and straight the horse will be rough and stumpy to 

 ride, therefore, a happy medium is desirable. Nine 

 times out of ten a short-legged hunter will tire a 

 long-legged one, and he will generally be safer to 

 ride. The hunter should be free from splints and 

 sidebones before, and from curbs and spavins behind, 

 as well as from all other blemishes peculiar to the 

 legs. The hocks particularly should be strong and 

 well moulded, as they undergo a greater strain in 

 the hunter than in any other kind of horse, in con- 

 sequence of him frequently having to gallop over 

 soft ground, with heavy jumping in addition. A 

 horse of this stamp will carry the saddle perfectly. 

 It will sit well back from the play of his shoulders, 

 whilst the girths will be from eight -to ten inches 

 behind the play of his forelegs, and in this position 

 they are not likely to nip or fret him in any way. 

 When mounted on a well-made hunter the rider 

 will always have the larger half of the horse in front 

 of him. 



FEET, COLOUR, AND MARKINGS. 



The feet of a hunter should be medium -sized, 

 well spread and hollowed, beneath, and the hoofs 

 tough, sound, and durable. 



The question of colour is purely a matter of taste, 

 and a good horse should never be objected to if he 

 happen to be a bad colour. Chesnuts, bays, and 



S 



