SrODERN FARllIER. l63 



is a s'lg^n of toiin-hness or hardiness. The forehead 

 should be long and broad, not flat, or, as it is usually 

 termed, mare-faced, but rising in the middle like 

 that of a hare ; the feather should be placed above 

 the eye, the contrary being thouglit by some to 

 threaten blindness. Tlie eyes should be full, large, 

 and bright ; the nostrils not only large, but looking 

 red and fresh within ; for an open and fresh nostril 

 is always esteemed a sign of a good wind. The 

 mouth should be large, deep in the wicks, and hairy. 

 The wind-pipe should be large, and appear straight 

 when he bridles his head ; for if, on the contrary, it 

 bends like a bow on his bridling, it is not formed 

 for a free passage of the breath. This defect in a 

 horse is expressed among the dealers by the phrase 

 coch-fJu'oppled. The head should be so set on to 

 the neck, that a space may be felt between the neck 

 and the chine; when there is no such space, the 

 horse is said to be bull-necked ; and this is not only 

 a blemish in the beauty of the horse, but it also 

 occasions his wind not to be so good. The crest 

 should be strong, firm, and well risen ; the neck 

 should be straight and firm, not loose and pliant ; 

 the breast should be strong and broad, the ribs round 

 like a barrel, the fillets large, the buttocks rather 

 oval than broad, the legs clean, flat, and straight ; 

 and, finally, the mane and tail ought to be long and 

 thin, not short and bushy, the last being counted a 

 mark of dulness. When a hunter is thus chosen, 

 and has been taught such obedience, that he will 

 readily answer to the rider's signals both of the bri- 

 dle and hand, the voice, the calf of the leg, and the 

 spurs ; that he knows how to make his way forward, 

 . and has gained a true temper of mouth, and a right 

 placing of his head, and has learned to stop and to 

 turn readily, if his age be sufficiently advanced, he 

 is ready for the field. 



