150 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
more. The Hunter has been developed in Ireland as the 
result of a demand for horses with Thoroughbred or saddle 
conformation, that were able to carry much more weight 
than the pure-bred Thoroughbred. Ireland, therefore, 
may be said to be the home of the Hunter, or where this 
type of horse has been bred for so many years that it has 
long since been classed as a distinct breed, and recognized 
as such at all the fairs and horse-shows in Great Britain. 
180. History. — The breeding of Hunters in America 
has hardly progressed far enough in any one section of the 
country to distinguish such animals as “‘ pure-bred.’”’. How- 
ever, a great many animals are yearly bred in this country 
for the special purpose of producing Hunters. The method 
of breeding is the same as originally adopted in Ireland, 
namely, the use of Thoroughbred stallions on native or 
grade mares. The breeders of Hunters are usually able 
to produce, even in the first cross, saddle conformation, 
and at the same time to have transmitted to such a cross 
sufficient of the courage, intelligence and staying qualities 
of the Thoroughbred to make the first cross (half-blood) a 
most satisfactory animal for cross-country riding to hounds. 
The fact that those half-, three-quarter- and seven-eighth- 
blood horses make such satisfactory Hunters is probably 
the reason why, in this country, there has been no general 
movement in any one section to continue special breeding. 
However, a great many clean-bred horses are favored by 
many persons for cross-country work. This special line 
of breeding has not been followed long enough for the breed 
to become fixed. In fact, the demand for such horses has 
always exceeded the supply in America to such an extent 
that the type has never had an opportunity to become 
thoroughly established. Nevertheless, there has been a 
National Steeple Chase and Hunt Association organized 
