THE PROVINCES. 



253 



is often a crowd in the Vale, there is generally plenty of room 

 for it to disport itself, particularly if hounds run fast. ' Brooksby ' 

 describes the sort of nag for this country in more detail than he 

 generally devotes to such matters, and 

 though the style of animal that will 

 carry you in comfort over a strongly 

 fenced grass country must be pretty 



' Something to think about 

 next day." 



much the same all the world over, his description is worth 

 quoting : 



The Vale calls for all the best essentials in a hunter. He must 

 gallop, he must jump, and he must stay. He need not be an abso- 

 lute flyer, but he can't be too good ; and it is noticeable that a man 

 tutored in the Vale is not only likely to ride well over the best of 

 the Shires, but generally brings thither a stamp of cattle that can 

 do him credit. Stoutness is a main feature in a Vale horse. Hocks, 

 quarters, and back are the main points, depth of chest and ribs 

 indispensable. The length of one type of Leicestershire horse is 



