102 THE HUNTER. 



and, like all other wide places, it takes a good deal 

 out of him, if he clears it. Lengthy horses are the 

 best brook jumpers ; but they require good loins 

 and hinder quarters as well, and, above all things, 

 courage. Unless a horse takes a wide brook in his 

 stroke, he is almost sure to be in it ; for which 

 reason he is generally ridden fast at it, and, for the 

 most part, not allowed to see it till he comes close 

 to it. Immense space has been covered by horses 

 when jumping brooks, particularly when there has 

 been a difference of elevation of the banks in favour 

 of the horse. We have heard of thirty feet and 

 upwards from hind foot to hind foot ; but half that 

 space in water is considered a good brook, and even 

 if the banks are sound, stops a great part of the 

 field. When unsound, it requires a horse, coming 

 under the denomination of a " good brook-jumper,'' 

 to clear it without a fall, and particularly, if to- 

 wards the end of a run. 



To be a good timber leaper is a great desideratum 

 in a hunter, although many horses are great tim- 

 ber leapers, and yet from their form, never make 

 good hunters. It only requires a short backed, 

 truss-horse for this purpose ; and he can dispense 

 with the general length so necessary to the com- 

 plete hunter. Good and well-formed thighs, how- 

 ever, are necessary. For those hunting countries, 

 such as Cheshire, where the hedge is generally 

 placed on a bank or " cop," as it is there styled, 

 rather a short but very active horse performs best. 

 But he must be very good in his hinder-legs, and 



