96 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



that it follows lie can cany more witli liounds. 

 I am quite aware tliat in racing a little addition 

 of weight has far greater effect than it has in 

 hmiting ; but this arises from two causes : first, 

 horses are usually, more on a par with each 

 other (or are made so, if handicapped) in a 

 race than are a field of hunters ; so if horses 

 are or are made pretty equal in pretensions, any 

 additional weight then put on any of them must 

 tell ; a little more would make the thing certain. 

 The other reason why weight tells so awfully 

 in the race-horse is, that from the pace he is so 

 much more extended than the hunter that where 

 a few pounds would perhaps make no difference 

 to the latter, going so much more within himself, 

 each pound is sensibly felt by the race-horse, ex- 

 tended as he is to the utmost stretch his anatomy 

 is capable of.^^ 



'' Does not this seem in favour of my little 

 steeple-cluise mare carrying me as a hunter ? " 

 inquired lier owner. 



^' Doubtless, to a certain degree it does ; but 

 pray observe, I did not say she would not carry 

 you, for where I see good shape and make, I 

 never attempt to give any dscided opinion as to 

 what weight of a reasonable kind such a horse 

 can carry, and I should still less attempt to do so 

 where I have not seen the style of the animaPs 

 going, on which so much of the capability of 



