248 The Post and the Paddock. 



number of mares were sent to the horse in 1855. 

 Their most valuable mares for this purpose are more 

 than three-parts bred, roomy, deep-shouldered, and 

 with good heads and crests ; and the characteristics 

 of their best stock, are small intelligent heads, with 

 the eye almost standing out of it ; short lean necks, 

 great depth of shoulder, fore legs well put on and all 

 sinew, wide back, with large hips, quarters rather 

 drooping, and great length from the hip to the hock, 

 which gives them their splendid propelling power at 

 fences. The average height of the best is fifteen- 

 three, and they are well up to fourteen stone. They 

 have always that peculiar slope of the croup nearly 

 at the same angle as the gaskins, which invariably 

 marks a horse as clever across country. In fact, as a 

 general thing, horses short and straight in the croup 

 seldom manage to drop fence handily, or have good 

 action with their hind legs, whatever they may have 

 with their fore ones. The young hunters are sent to 

 the Irish fairs, principally between the ages of six and 

 eight, but the best, as in England, are bought from 

 the breeder long before they reach a fair. They are 

 principally bred in Westmeath, Meath, Longford, 

 Kildare, Roscommon, Wicklow, and Wexford ; and 

 among the largest breeders we may mention Mr. 

 Richard Reynell, of Kelynin ; Mr. A. Cook, of Cooks- 

 borough ; Mr. H. Morrow, of Longford ; Mr. M. A. 

 Feuile, of Sonna ; Mr. W. Ryan, of Edgeworths- 

 town ; Mr. J. Weir, of Tullaghan ; Mr. Duke, of 

 Sligo ; Mr. Pollock, of Meath ; and Mr. J. Connelly, 

 of Celbridge. The largest fairs for hunters are Bal 

 linasloe, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of October ; the 

 Great Munster Fairs, which are held at Limerick in 

 April and October ; and the Cahiramee Fair, on the 

 nth and 12th of July. Young horses and colts are 

 principally shown at Mullingar, where three out of 

 the four fairs (April 6th, July 4th, and August 22nd) 

 are entirely devoted to them ; whereas that on Nov. 



