Training Hunters, Jumpers and Hacks

CHAPTER I

GENERALITIES CONCERNING SELECTION, CONFORMATION AND GAITS

What Is Beauty in Conformation?

THE old adage concerning the chain's being only as strong as its weakest link, often and most aptly is applied to horses. It is true especially of hunters since their work requires great speed, strength and stamina. A French author sententiously has stated that the beauty of man is ideal; that of the horse, mathematical. The statement was evoked because that particular appearance and form of any feature of the horse which make it most capable of withstanding wear and tear, and hence best adapted to perform the work required, gradually have come to be recognized as beautiful. A horse as a whole is considered beautiful when all his parts individually are so, and when they are so proportioned one to the other that he is perfectly adapted to his work. The type determines what is beautiful. Thus, a certain form of feature beautiful in a draft horse might be ugly in a thoroughbred. However, there are certain beauties common to all types which therefore are called absolute.

Scientific study of the horse's gaits and movements, since the advent of the motion picture camera, has discovered and analyzed quite exactly the mechanical advantages resulting from beautiful conformation. The study of the pictures merely has confirmed the observations of experienced horsemen.

When submitted to the strains of strenuous hunting and jumping, no horse with poorly conformed fore legs can remain sound and useful for any great period of time. The machine is faultily constructed and not mechanically balanced. Moreover, when galloping across hunting country, weaknesses in certain parts of the equine machine are apt to cause grave accidents through the horse's falling. Consequently, it behooves every person who rides to acquire knowledge of conformation, and more particularly so if he expects to own horses.

Learning to Judge Conformation

Contrary to common belief, it is not at all difficult to learn appreciation of the more important points of conformation. A little study and the mental determination to exercise one's power of observation are all that are necessary. It also should be understood by those who train young horses that the particular conformation of each colt ought to influence greatly the schedule and methods employed in his breaking and training. The variations necessary, depending on conformation, will be mentioned later.

In judging conformation, a certain fixed routine of inspection should be adopted and rigorously followed in each case. Routine makes thoroughness a habit, and the probability of overlooking grievous defects is eliminated.

Value of the First Impression of a Horse

First and foremost, when purchasing a horse, it is vitally important that his appearance as a whole please the buyer. Otherwise the latter is never completely happy with his possession, nor will he cease to regret having bought a horse that failed to meet the requirements he had in mind. Unfortunately any one of the many oversights which a purchaser easily may make never can be excused by his pride of possession. Even to apologize tacitly for his horse is the essence of bitterness to a horseman. From these facts an axiom is born: never buy a horse which off ends the eye at first glance.

Best Age for Purchase

After weighing the various factors involved, the matter of age is one which each buyer must decide for himself. Buying an older horse, either wholly or partly trained, from a reliable person whose methods are known to be good, has many advantages. The usual disadvantage attending this course is a very high price. If the decision is made to purchase a young, untrained one, the most suitable age is four. With knowledge and time available, training provides a joyous satisfaction for the owner and at four years of age a colt is old enough so that serious work may be undertaken immediately and proceed continuously. This normally will produce a well trained horse at six. However, even through his sixth year, his work should be considered carefully, for the average horse is not fully matured until seven years of age. From seven until fifteen or older, a good hunter or jumper is in his prime.

If bought at the age of two or three, a colt may be gentled, broken and trained to some small extent, but when so young the liability to injury, the additional expense of upkeep, and the fact that very little work can be demanded, are distinct disadvantages. Staying off his back during his second and third years is the best way to safeguard his health, feet and legs. Hence it is more economical from all points of view not to own the colt until he is four. To begin mounted training at four is a recognized principle in the armies of all great nations, and the horse world generally acknowledges that the cavalry schools of these nations have evolved the soundest known principles of scientific equitation and training.

Before his fourth year, a colt simply is not strong enough to do hard work without great possibility of severe injury. When for any reason one is broken during his second or third year, he should not be given long rides or required to jump obstacles over three feet in height. It is far better at that tender age to require no jumping at all, and certainly none while mounted. Except for teaching him to bear the rider's weight for short periods at very slow paces, it is wisest to stay off his back. It is admitted that certain remarkable horses, despite their being required to do severe work during their second and third years under riders, manage to remain sound. Nevertheless, most intelligent horsemen, not professionally engaged in the horse business, follow the rule of commencing systematic mounted work at four.

The fact that our race tracks abound with two- and three-year-olds being exploited for money should in no way influence any genuine sportsman to start a colt destined to become a hunter or jumper at serious mounted work prior to his fourth year. Naturally, many breeders and dealers desire to sell or race their colts as early as possible; it is a matter of money, since the period of profitless upkeep is shortened. These mere babies are over-fed, over-trained, over-taxed, and a vast number become poor crippled things before they even approach maturity. And this, alas, is glorified under the name of sport! Fortunately, some of the true sportsmen who own racing stables are beginning to disparage the racing of two-year-olds. It is hoped that the number of these gentlemen increases and that they make loud their protests. Surely the gallant thoroughbred should be given every chance to improve; such a generous comrade and friend should not be commercialized, without a fair chance, by the avarice of those he serves. Sadly enough, the racing of two-year-olds and the short sprints now in vogue, which have replaced the long races of former days, have done much to harm the conformation of the thoroughbred. These lamentable conditions have caused, among other undesirable characteristics, straighter shoulders and pasterns, longer legs, drooped croups and more sloping arms.

Leaving this digression, which needs much publicity, and returning to the subject, it appears most logical to buy a four-year-old when the purchaser intends to break and train his own horse. It is, of course, advantageous if the colt selected has been gentled and halter-broken. Then, under the mild work to be advocated for his fourth year, he will develop quickly, and at five, consider himself quite grown up, although at times his behavior may be unexpectedly childish. In any event, at five he will be just out of the baby category and his bones and muscles will have been partly hardened and prepared to resist without injury the violent and often accidental strains that come with galloping and jumping.

Inspecting the Colt in His Stall

Having decided upon the age and found the horse which from the first glance proved pleasing to the eye, the prospective purchaser, if possible, should see him in his stall. There it can be determined whether he is a cribber (chews the wood of his stall), windsucker (sucks in air after seizing hold with his teeth of a protruding piece of wood or other material), a weaver (sways back and forth, alternately shifting his weight from one fore leg to the other) or has other stable vices. The stall itself may show scars from habitual kicking. Excessive nervousness or irritability usually will be manifested when a stranger approaches. If possible, the visit to the stall should be unexpected both to the horse and the dealer.

The most beautiful conformation is of little value if the horse has a bad disposition, and a most reliable index to disposition is his eye. Its expression should be observed often and carefully. A beautiful eye is alert, brilliant, frank, limpid, large, mildly curious and friendly. To the true horseman his horses' eyes tell many things. Through their expressions he reads the moods and state of health of each individual in the stables. Only by such sympathetic interest can an owner understand and enjoy his horses to the fullest.

While in the stall if visibility is good, in addition to studying the expression of the eyes, a minute examination should be made to be sure that no cloudiness impairs the vision. Also, while standing a little to the rear of the horse's head, move a hand quickly upward, close to and past the eye, carefully noticing whether it blinks as it should. The glands just back of and under the lower jawbone may be felt to see that they are similar and not abnormal in size. The disease called strangles often leaves these glands so enlarged that they interfere with flexion of the jaw and poll. The poll (region of the neck just back of the ears) should be inspected for traces of poll evil, an injury which often is very grave. In these examinations it will be discovered whether, as a result of bad treatment, poll evil, nervousness or viciousness, the horse is head shy. His pulse and teeth should be examined. The pulse is felt just inside and under the lower jawbone. It should be full and strong, at normal temperatures varying between thirty-four and thirty-eight beats per minute. The count is higher, as a rule, in young horses than in older ones. A good pulse is an indication of excellent health, while a weak or irregular one signifies poor health and an irritable disposition. Naturally a young horse is less liable than an older one to have serious injuries and incurable vices.

If the legs are bandaged the cause should be determined. Frequently bandages are used for bracing and resting legs which are perfectly sound. On the other hand the legs may be weak or injured and, as a result, stock (swell) after exercise, in which case the bandages are used to prevent or reduce the swelling. Such habitual swelling indicates circulatory or lymphatic disorders.

Next the horse should be led outside the stable. Closely study the eyes again just as he comes into the bright daylight. An eye may be totally blind from a paralyzed retina and yet appear clear and normal. Many a horseman has failed to find this defect until weeks after a purchase. Only by noting the contraction which the light causes in the pupil of a good eye, and the blinking which occurs when a hand is passed close to it, can one be certain that this type of blindness does not exist.

Study of the Horse's General Symmetry

In judging his general appearance the symmetry and harmony of the horse's height and length are important. Also, the length of his legs in relation to the size and height of his body, as well as the relative proportions of his head, neck and body must be studied. In a well made horse the height of his chest (often miscalled depth) measured perpendicularly from the top of his withers to the bottom of his chest, or point where the cinch passes underneath the body, should equal approximately the distance from his chest to the ground. In the ideal horse the first measurement is a trifle greater. If not approximately equal he will appear leggy and have too much daylight under him. Legginess indicates a small chest and lung capacity, as well as unstableness. After a little practice these relative proportions are readily judged, and an appreciation of balanced symmetry is developed by the eye.

If the horse has a long neck the head should be small, otherwise the weight of a big head on the long lever, formed by the neck, makes him heavy in front. His balancer (the head and neck) is unwieldy. If the neck is very short, a rather large head which adds the necessary weight to the balancer is desirable. The croup should be almost as long from hip to point of buttock (or end of ischium) as is the head. The shoulder, from its point to the top of the withers in a well-made horse, is as long as his head, as is also the distance from the point of the hock to the ground. In discussing conformation in detail, more information will be given concerning relative proportions which assist in determining the degree of symmetry and probable mechanical ability a horse possesses.

The Coat

The coat should be carefully noted. It is a distinctive indication of quality and good breeding if it is silky, fine-haired and glossy. A fine coat generally covers a skin which, when pinched between the thumb and forefinger, also feels fine and delicate. After exercise the veins on the legs, neck and body of a horse with a coat and skin as described stand out very prominently. These conditions are fairly reliable proof that the tissues beneath are of high quality and not laden with gross, superfluous fat. Just after a horse has been carefully groomed a poor coat often looks well. The buyer therefore must be able to recognize a good coat when the horse is in pasture, ungroomed, or in the rough. This is accomplished by examining the texture of the individual hairs. A horse possessing a coat that shines like satin is spoken of as having bloom. After great and long-continued exertion, a fine coat, a thin skin, and veins near the surface permit prompt recuperation through rapid cooling of the blood and underlying tissues. In horses required to hunt, race, play polo or jump difficult courses, such an efficient cooling system is vitally important.

Photo copyrighted by L. S. Sutcliffe, Lexington, Ky.

EQUIPOISE

Mr. C. V. Whitney's great race horse and sire, the epitome of long muscled speed and proven quality. Note the beautiful scapula-humeral angle.

IMP. ROYAL MINSTREL

Mr. C. V. Whitney's thoroughbred. A magnificent

type of sire for hunters.

Muscular Development

In an untrained colt, more than in an older horse, potential muscular development must be carefully estimated. The muscles of course will not be highly developed but the indications of quality, or lack thereof, are readily recognizable to the trained eye. Always it must be borne in mind that thick, heavy, bunchy muscles are not desirable in riding horses. On the contrary being capable of exerting very intense, but not necessarily swift, effort, they are considered beautiful in draft animals.

Veterinarians have determined scientifically that the intensity of muscular force increases as the square of the diameter of the muscle. A riding horse, however, should have long, low gaits. These do not require tremendous strength and are produced only by long, wiry muscles, capable of great amplitude in extension and contraction. Blocky, muscular horses, while stronger in slow draft, are completely outclassed by the long-muscled types in agility and fleetness under the saddle. While the intensity of muscular strength is a function of the square of the muscle's diameter, the weight to be moved is a function of the cube of the muscle's diameter. This explains why beyond a certain height, a horse carrying a load which is in fixed proportion to his own weight (say one-sixth, for example) must be a better horse mechanically than the similar, smaller horse just equaling that certain height. In other words, the increase in the taller horse's mass (a function of the cube of the muscles' diameters) exceeds the increase in the intensity of his muscular strength (function of the square) relative to the mass and strength of the smaller horse. Hence the smaller horse carries his load more easily than the bigger one which is worn out sooner by his greater weight.

Standing about fifteen hands three inches on legs short relative to the body's height is believed by eminent authorities to be the most efficient height for a thoroughbred destined to carry far and fast a weight of approximately one hundred eighty pounds. In general, endurance rides and the Equestrian Championships of the Olympic games tend to prove the moderate-sized horse's superiority. The weight-carrying ability of small horses and mules is well known. In the mountains, burros are seen carrying burdens all day long which almost equal their own weights. Below a certain height the disqualifying disadvantages of short and small horses are lack of speed and amplitude of stride.

The Bony Framework

The direction and development of the muscles are closely allied to and dependent upon the shape and direction of the bones to which they are attached. Therefore, the skeleton which forms the base of the structure is the determining factor in judging conformation. The eye must learn to picture the framework even when hidden by layers of muscle and fat. It is far easier to judge conformation, and therefrom the probable adaptability and capability of a horse, when thin than when fat. Fat hides a multitude of sins and deceives many a man who flatteringly considers himself a fine judge of horseflesh. Therein lies the error; he mistakes horseflesh for the bone and muscle that permit fine performance. That very soft roundness, which is an abomination in a fine cross-country horse, often is praised and sought for by superficial horsemen. In many show rings judges are timid about giving a prize to a big-boned, capable hunter unless he is rolling in fat. This fact appears too absurd for comment, but unfortunately many an owner who has hunted his horse and has him in fine, hard condition dares not enter him in a fall show. Disregarding the above absurdity, it is the horse which, when in hard condition, is clean cut, distinctly angular and almost rough-appearing due to his big, bony framework that makes the great hunter, galloper and jumper. The horse broad across the hips, with big, clean, prominent joints; flat, hard-appearing bone; muscles not thick and heavy, but long and lean; a chiseled-out horse, not molded smoothly into round curves, is the type that will be blessed with speed, endurance and the mechanism necessary to stand hard galloping over rough country without breaking down.

If the manner in which muscles work is analyzed, the necessity and beauty of prominent joints, broad, angular hips, and a generally accentuated bony framework, are obvious. Those muscles used in locomotion lie for the most part parallel to, and along, the bones which, when the horse moves, partially rotate about an adjacent joint. The prominences at the ends of the bones and near the joints form levers, or give points of attachment for the muscles, and therefore should be large. In moving the bones which form the joints, since the muscles are parallel to them, the initial muscular effort is very great. Later, when the joint is partly flexed, the muscles act more perpendicularly to the bones which allows a decrease in the muscular effort necessary to continue the flexion. Thus it is seen that the accentuation of every bony prominence serves a beneficial purpose mechanically in facilitating some movement.

The above facts are of great importance in studying the conformation of the shoulders, croup and legs—the agents of locomotion. Chapter II will cover these points in more detail.

Cause of Fatigue

In contracting, a muscle's work generates heat and poisonous acid. Upon relaxing for a fleeting instant after contraction it rests, and the poisonous acid is partly neutralized by the oxygen brought to the muscle by the blood. In the short and quick striding galloper the periods of relaxation are briefer and the consequent decrease in the time for rest and supply of oxygen hastens fatigue. This is the basic reason for the superiority as a stayer of the long-muscled, long-striding horse with great amplitude of movement to his joints. It also is the foundation for the old saying, A horse gallops with his wind.

In résumé the examination of the horse thus far, both in and out of the stable, has helped to determine: the presence or absence of stable vices; type of disposition; obvious defects and injuries; character and condition of the eyes; general appearance as to symmetry; muscular development; and the quality of the coat.

If the prospective purchase passes satisfactorily the above cursory examination, and before going more minutely into the questions of soundness and conformation, the purchaser should see him in action.

Study of the Gaits

To see the horse move on a halter, longe, or at liberty is absolutely essential, for no matter how handsome he may be, without low, true, elastic and free gaits he will be of little value.

To have him led on a halter is perhaps the most satisfactory way of studying the walk and trot. The halter shank should be allowed to hang loosely so that it may interfere in no way with natural gestures made by the head and neck. A level, hard road is the best place to observe the gaits, for the horse, if sound, will travel uniformly and naturally on such footing. All three gaits should be studied from the side when the horse