THE HUNTER. 



guineas for a good colt, at weaning time, a fair re- 

 muneration to the breeder, and well laid out by the 

 purchaser. 



Previously to giving directions for the purchase 

 of a full-grown hunter, we shall proceed to exhibit 

 him in his highest form, although we are aware of 

 the difficulty, on certain subjects, of conveying, 

 clearly, an idea from our own mind to that of an- 

 other. We shall, however, endeavour to make our- 

 selves understood by describing each individual 

 point. As to the form and shape of a hunter's 

 head, as we do not ride upon it, it is not of much 

 consequence, provided it be well hung on, and that 

 is of the very highest importance, not only, as we 

 have shown in the race-horse, on account of his 

 respiration or wind, but unless it be so, he cannot 

 be pleasant to ride. Not only must his jaws be 

 wide, but when we consider that the head of a 

 horse hangs in a slanting position from the extre- 

 mity of the neck, and that the neck itself projects 

 a considerable distance from the chest, on the mus- 

 cular strength and proper formation of the neck 

 must depend whether a horse be light or heavy in 

 hand, and consequently pleasant or unpleasant to 

 ride. A weak or loose neck may not be so mate- 

 rial, as we have before observed, to the race-horse ; 

 he is generally ridden in a martingale, and in 

 that case always ; add to which, his race is soon 

 run. Nevertheless, we like to see the neck of the 

 race-horse rise out of the shoulder with a tapering 

 curve, in which case he is pleasant to ride in his 

 gallop, and, if a hard puller, his jockey has much 



