THE HUNTER 61 



nevertheless, a horse of about eight or nine, who has 

 had a few tumbles in the natural course of things, is 

 in his prime and apt to make the safest and most 

 comfortable conveyance across a country. 



Providing that it is deep and rich of its kind, color 

 in a hunter is purely a matter of taste, and there are 

 good ones of nearly every color, with the possible ex- 

 ception of piebalds and skewbalds, which are seldom 

 found in well-bred horses. Gray is a favorite color 

 among hunting people, as it sets off a scarlet coat well, 

 but in order to ride a gray, one should be prepared to 

 go hard and straight, for every mistake or refusal can 

 be clearly seen at a distance ! 



The choice of sex is more important in a hunter than 

 in a hack. For a mare, although often more brilliant 

 than a gelding, is (owing to her variable disposition) 

 sometimes disagreeable and difficult to hunt. The 

 owner of a mare can perhaps make up for these draw- 

 backs by being able, in after-years, to have the joy 

 of breeding from his favorite hunter; but for the aver- 

 age person owning but one horse and intending to 

 hunt regularly without let up, the gelding, other things 

 being equal, is perhaps the wiser choice. 



Elegance and style of carriage, so essential to a hack, 

 while always desirable, are by no means necessary in 

 a hunter. He should, nevertheless, carry himself easily, 

 be bridle-wise, come to hand, and flex his neck readily 

 and without great effort on the part of the rider. 



I personally prefer a horse who can be hunted in a 

 snaffle bridle, but this is largely a matter of taste, 

 and depends on the individual horse and on the type 

 of country to be hunted. If one is hunting in a nar- 

 row, cramped country, where there is much stopping 

 and quick turning, a double bridle is undoubtedly 



