108 THE HUNTER. 



your satisfaction, however good he may be in his 

 nature ; and the latter, from being too heavy for 

 his legs, will seldom last many years. As for the 

 minor points, common observation alone is want- 

 ing. Have his head placed in such a situation 

 for inspection, as will enable you to satisfy your- 

 self that he has perfectly organised eyes, free from 

 incipient cataract, sometimes rather difficult to be 

 detected ; and as for his age, there are but two 

 ways of satisfying yourself on that point. By his 

 teeth till about eight years old ; afterwards by the 

 state of his legs, which are, in fact, the best test of 

 his value, the best proof of what he has done, and 

 the sure source of speculation as to what he may 

 hereafter be expected to do. Observe, also, his 

 joints, that no material injury has been done to 

 them by blows, &;c., and that they are strong. 



But the purchaser of a hunter must not trust to 

 his eye. Neither must he be satisfied with him, 

 how well soever he may gallop with him upon sound 

 land. It is the peculiar excellence of " going well 

 through dirt" that renders a horse valuable for all 

 our best hunting countries ; and no man can assure 

 himself that a horse has this peculiar excellence, 

 until he puts him to the test. The best method 

 of doing it is this — The rider should put him 

 along at a good pace, with a slack rein, upon sound 

 ground, letting him find himself all at once upon 

 that which is soft and holding. If, on quitting 

 the former, he cringes more than might be expected 

 under the weight, and shortens his stroke much, 

 he must not purchase him for a hunter. He may 



