THE CHARGER 399 



Another most essential point in a hackney is, that 

 his sight is good, otherwise he is sure to shy at every 

 object which suddenly meets his vision ; and conse- 

 quently by starting to one side is very apt to throw 

 his rider. 



THE CHARGER. 



Much diversity of opinion prevails in this, as well 

 as in other countries, respecting the kind of horse best 

 suited for a charger. At one period, the whole British 

 cavalry were mounted on strong, heavy horses, which 

 were bred from the large Flander's horses, crossed by 

 those of Britain. But in the Peninsular campaigns, it 

 was found that lighter horses, with a considerable pro- 

 portion of blood, were the most useful, as they got 

 over wet, marshy tracts of country better than heavier 

 horses. The qualities of a charger, or troop-horse, are 

 much the same as those of a hunter. His action 

 should be great, as well as his spirit ; the neck deep 

 and arched, with a large swelling breast ; the ribs full 

 and finely bent ; the chine broad and straight ; and 

 the rear round and full ; the legs broad and flat, and 

 the pasterns short. In action, the charger enters into 

 the spirit of the attack, as the hunter does that of the 

 chase. In the words of the poet — 



"The fiery courser, when he hears afar 

 The sprightly trumpets and the shouts of war, 

 Pricks up his ears, and, trembHng with dehght, 

 Shifts place, and paws, and hopes the promised fight. 

 On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined, 

 Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind : 

 His horny hoofs are jetty black and round. 

 His chine is double, starting with a bound, 

 He turns the turf, and shakes the solid ground ; 

 Fire from his eyes, clouds from his nostrils flow, 

 He bears his rider headlong on the foe." 



