THE HORSE 205 



but it should be distinctly understood that a 

 horse is to be returned if not liked. Under 

 these circumstances it is absurd for the neophyte 

 to pit his knowledge against that of the man 

 whose business it is to know everything about 

 a horse. Let him go to the dealer and say, ' I 

 want so many hunters to carry me safely and 

 well over a certain country. 1 Ask him to fix a 

 figure on each horse he shows you, and when 

 he has put a price on about double the number 

 you require, then proceed to make your selection. 

 Ride each one in turn, gallop them downhill, 

 and jump them over a few small fences. You 

 may conclude that those which give you a pleasant 

 feeling, which do not seem as if they were going 

 to tumble on their heads when landing over the 

 fences (and in fact leave the impression of a 

 well-balanced rocking-chair), have good shoulders. 

 Don't bother your head about splints, curbs, 

 spavins, or any other defect you may read about, 

 but insist on having good shoulders. Leave the 

 question of the animal's capabilities and education 

 as a hunter entirely to the honour of the dealer ; 

 put your trust in the veterinary surgeon you 

 employ to examine about all matters of sound- 



