CHAPTER IX 

 THE HUNTEE 



Chapter by F. S. PEER 



THE organization of many new hunt -clubs through- 

 out the eastern states, during the last ten years, has 

 greatly increased the demand for horses suitable for 

 cross-country riding. The demand for high -class sad- 

 dle-horses other than the gaited horse of Kentucky 

 and ladies' and gentlemen's hacks (a horse for both 

 riding and driving), has always been so poorly sup- 

 plied that only comparatively few people who require 

 them can be suited. The others must take up with 

 trotting -bred horses, and other make -shifts that are 

 poor substitutes, indeed, for the real thing. The breed- 

 ing of the hunter is well within the range of the ordinary 

 farmer. Many nondescript mares suitable, when coupled 

 with good sires, for breeding hunters are already in the 

 country, and might be utilized. 



The requirements in a saddle-horse, or hunter, are 

 such that they are produced only by a special line of 

 breeding, as we shall presently attempt to show. The 

 prices paid for them would indicate that they bring a 

 greater return for the money invested in the animals 

 for producing them, than any other class of horses. 

 This is especially the case with farmers of moderate 

 means, and limited experience in breeding. Almost any 



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