82 Cross Country with Horse and Hound 



hunting country may be nearly worthless in another. In 

 the Genesee Valley, for instance, where there is plenty of 

 steep hill work with many ravines as steep as a mansard 

 roof, a fifteen and a half to fifteen-three horse is quite tall 

 enough. For the level Meadowbrook country, where they 

 follow the drag, which is only another name for steeple- 

 chasing, the nearer the thoroughbred in size that can gallop 

 and fly the fences, the better. Mr. Ellis, the Master there, 

 says: "Take away speed from drag-hunting and there is 

 little left worth going out for." 



In selecting a hunter I should rate desirable characteris- 

 tics in the following order: (i) suitability; (2) pedigree; 

 (3) disposition; (4) manners; (5) education; (6) looks. 



Some huntsmen may prefer to put more stress on looks. 

 No one appreciates good looks in a hunter better than the 

 writer, nor do I mean to say good looks are attained only 

 at the expense of utility. Education and manners may be 

 cultivated. Disposition may be improved. Pedigree and 

 suitability are fixed. But the greatest of these is suitability. 



From another way of looking at it, buying horses is a 

 good deal like selecting a wife. To impress upon the 

 buyer the responsibility he takes upon himself and the risk 

 he runs in buying a horse, it might be well to have some 

 sort of marriage ceremony. The ceremony might be 

 performed by a Presbyterian, because, for one thing, the 

 buyer ought to endorse the good old doctrine of fore- 

 ordination. 



The ceremony should at least contain the following 

 form : " I, Richardson Gibson Doe, being a man free-born, 

 of lawful age, and desirous of taking unto myself a partner 



