212 THE HUNTER. 



money, are economical in the purchase of harness horses ; but 

 price does not stop them when buying a hunter, to whom they 

 will have to trust their life. 



We often hear it said that Mr. X is fortunate with all his 

 horses, and that Mr. Y, being out of luck, cannot place his 

 hand on a good animal. We may be certain that chance has 

 not much to say in this matter. The fact that Mr. X has 

 often good horses is perhaps due to his understanding their 

 powers and working them with good judgment. If Mr. Y 

 has only bad horses, notwithstanding the long prices he gives, 

 it is perhaps because he is an indifferent rider who does not 

 understand horses, and is ignorant of what he ought to require 

 from a horse and of the manner he ought to require it. 



I do not hesitate to recommend those who will take my 

 humble advice, to get the best and strongest horse they can 

 for hunting. 



The English say that hacking is an art,* and hunting is 

 pluck. In my opinion this proverb is absolutely correct. 

 Without doubt pluck is required more with hounds than when 

 hacking, because the speed is greater, and the fences are un- 

 known. Nevertheless, pluck cannot replace the science of 

 riding, which is even more necessary when crossing a country 

 than when hacking, because the risks are greater and more 

 frequent. 



To hunt, as well as to hack or ride races, it is necessary to 

 know how to ride. 



* I must say that I have always seen more hacking than art in Rotten Row. 



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