RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



points whatever to catch the eye. It was tall, 

 narrow, plain-headed, with very bad shoulders, 

 and very long legs, all this to carry at least 

 eighteen stone ; but it was nearly, if not quite, 

 thorough-bred. 



We need hardly dwell on the advantages of 

 speed and endurance, inherited from the Arab, 

 and improved, as we fondly hope, almost to 

 perfection, through the culture of many genera- 

 tions, while even the fine temper of the " desert- 

 born " has not been so warped by the tricks of 

 stable-boys, and the severity of turf- discipline, 

 but that a little forbearance and kind usacje soon 

 restores its natural docility. 



In all the qualities of a hunter, the thorough- 

 bred horse is, I think, superior to the rest of his 

 kind. You can hardly do better than buy one, 

 and " make him to your hand," should you be 

 blessed with good nerves, a fine temper, and a 

 delicate touch, or, wanting these qualities, confide 

 him to someone so gifted, if you wish to be 

 carried well and pleasantly, in your love for 

 hunting, perhaps I should rather say, for the 

 keen and stirring excitement we call " riding to 

 hounds." 



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