86 COMPA CTNESS OF BOB Y 



and shorter than that of the racehorse, in order that he 

 may not extend himself too much in his gallop. 

 Nothing would tire a horse more in a run than over- 

 striding himself. The compact, small horse appears 

 to skim the surface of the ground when compared with 

 the longer-striding horse, whose feet sink deeper into 

 the ground, and thereby necessitate greater exertion 

 to free them at every stride. 



Every horseman is aware how much more enduring 

 a short-bodied horse is in climbing a hilly country, 

 though perhaps not equally good in descending it. 

 Herein lies the secret of suiting racehorses to certain 

 courses, and this explains why it is that a horse which 

 can do well on one course cannot on another. A big- 

 striding horse may do on a straight and even course, 

 but on one which is uneven and with sharp turns in it 

 the smaller and handier animal is his superior. 



The loin of a hunter should be broad, the quarters 

 lengthy, and the thighs full of muscle. 



Then, again, as regards temper, to which I have 

 before briefly referred, there is no greater abomination 

 than a bad-tempered, cowardly horse. It was such an 

 animal which, after nearly killing two jockeys and a 

 friend of my own, all but killed me, and for two years 

 I was next door to eternity. 



After a hard day a horse requires at least three days' 

 rest ; and if he is under six years old, four days at 

 the very least should be allowed him. Taken as an 

 average, three days' hunting a fortnight is quite as 

 much as a sound horse can manage ; but it is advisable 

 to give a horse a light sweat the day before hunting. 



Some young horses require more time than others, 

 according as to how they have been fed as two-year- 



