44 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



disappointed^ but quite in good-lmmour_, at my 

 remark. 



''1 believe/^ said I^ ''Miunters have pretty- 

 strong occasions for legs^ and tliose of a good 

 sort. Now^ liis are of a sort tliat I never knew 

 carry a hunter long togetlier. His liave the 

 worst faults I consider the legs of a hunter can 

 have ; they incline back at the knee, and he is 

 particularly small just beneath it; in stable 

 phrase, ^ tied in under the knee : ' in the next 

 place, he turns his toes out. The first imperfec- 

 tion produces undue strains on the back ligaments 

 of the leg j the second prevents free space for 

 action of each ligament ; and both together must, 

 with the exertions of a hunter, produce lame- 

 ness, and most probably of an irremediable cha- 

 racter. The third imperfection, though it may 

 permit his escaping hitting his ankles while merely 

 ridden as a pleasure-horse, would, if fatigued, 

 which all hunters must at times be, cause him to 

 cut his legs to pieces. He is well calculated for 

 what you are now doing with him, is a fine 

 horse, goes in a gentlemanly form, and does it 

 safely to his rider. For this, he is worth a 

 strongish price ; keep him at that. Most pro- 

 bably, if you wish to part with him, you will find 

 a purchaser without loss. Ride him half a season 

 with hounds (if he could go as long), he would 

 be worth little or comparatively nothing." 



