CHAPTER VI. THE HUNTER.

Although a hunter need not be of any particular breed, he should be chosen from the best horses. My advice to a man who wants to hunt is to select a horse which has been born, reared and trained in the country where the hunting is to take place. Horses, like men, have natural capabilities which correspond to the climate and nature of their native land. If they are sent elsewhere they will lose these qualities, without being able to acquire those of the animals which were born in the place.

Let us take for instance the small horse of the Pyrennees, which has marvellous qualities. In his own country he is clever, active, very sure-footed and temperate, and in the country about Pau he makes a first-rate hunter ; but if he is taken to Rome or Vendée he will lose some of his good qualities. It is the same with all other breeds of horses. Therefore, for hunting, take a horse of the country. The English hunter is the only animal which is good in all countries, and which preserves his good qualities, no matter what is the nature of the sport. He combines almost all the desirable points. He is nearly thorough-bred, although his shape and make are not what we would look for in a race horse, which has plenty of daylight under him. The hunter