18 
Half-bred  Horses  for  Field  or  Road: 
was  the  very  best  hunter  he  ever  crossed.  I also  sold  a horse,  by 
‘ Perion,’  similarly  bred,  to  Mr.  Willoughby,  which  proved  a 
grand  hunter.  John  Payne,  of  Market  Harborough,  bought  mam- 
hunters  from  me  by  ‘ President  ’ and  ‘ Perion  ’ out  of  Cleveland 
mares,  and  they  always  gave  great  satisfaction. 
“ I must  confess  now  that  I rarely  see  a mare  that  I am  much 
in  love  with  to  breed  hunters  from — only  one  now  and  again  ; 
and  there  is  no  doubt  that  most  of  our  best  hunters  now  come 
from  Ireland.  Our  North  country  farmers  find  that  the  heavier 
kind  of  farm  horses  pay  them  the  most  money ; consequently 
these  animals  are  not  adapted  for  breeding  hunters  from  ; they 
are  worked  on  the  land  from  3 years  old  until  about  6 or  7 years 
old,  then  sold  for  town,  Dray,  or  Rulley  horses  at  prices  from  50 
to  100  guineas  each.  In  my  experience  I have  only  known  a 
very  few  quite  thoroughbred  hunters  good  across  our  plough 
and  heavy  country  ; they  may  do  for  steeplechasing,  but  don’t 
bear  the  wear  and  tear,  up  and  down  hills,  that  the  half-bred 
hunter  does. 
“ When  I mention  a half-bred  hunter  I must  have  him  well- 
bred,  well-made,  good  action,  shoulders  in  the  right  place ; I 
don’t  object  to  a strong  shoulder,  but  it  must  be  well-placed, 
with  a muscular  neck,  deep  back-ribs,  well-developed  hocks,  and 
the  height  about  15'3.  Then  with  a good  pack  of  hounds,  a good 
fox,  fine  scenting  day — such  an  animal,  with  a good  man  on  his 
back,  will  always  be  in  a good  place,  and  bring  you  comfortably 
home  at  night.  All  hunters  should  be  good  hacks. 
“ Big  horses  are  apt  to  go  roarers.  I don’t  like  a hunter,  as  a 
rule,  above  sixteen  hands. 
“ As  to  hackneys  and  roadsters,  I myself  prefer  an  animal  with 
a cross  or  two  of  blood  ; one  that  walks  really  well ; and  in  this 
case,  as  with  hunters,  the  shapes  must  be  good,  with  sound 
well-formed  feet. 
“ I used  to  prefer  making  my  own  hunters,  buying  them  young, 
riding  them  myself,  always  using  them  well,  and  exercising 
a great  deal  of  patience  ; still  being  firm,  but  never  lose  your 
temper  with  a horse.  More  is  done  by  kindness  than  by  rough 
treatment — as  an  old  huntsman  once  said  to  me,  more  flies  are 
caught  with  honey  than  vinegar ; this  was  after  he  had  been 
using  civil  words  to  a cross  farmer — who  afterwards  became 
his  friend. 
“ I have  written  you  a few  lines : I don’t  know  that  they 
will  be  of  any  use  to  you,  but  if  so,  it  will  afford  me  pleasure, 
and  I remain, 
“ Yours  very  truly, 
“ A.  L.  Maynard.” 
