2 HORSE AND MAN. 



I like a handsome head, long and light neck, prominent 

 withers, short and strong back and loins, long croup, long and 

 oblique shoulders, close coupling between the point of the hip 

 and the last rib, hocks well let down, short canon bones, long 

 fore arms, and the pasterns fairly long. These desirable 

 points are rarely found in one animal. A horse should be 

 close to the ground, which he will be when the distance from 

 the brisket to the ground will be equal to that from the 

 withers to the brisket. A horse which is high off the ground 

 is generally clumsy in his movements, and liable to stumble. 



I would have nothing to do with a horse whose fetlock and 

 pastern joints are stiff, because he would be deficient in elas- 

 ticity, would drag his feet, and would consequently be 

 liable to trip. 



I take particular care to see that the heels are not con- 

 tracted. In order to prevent my horses acquiring this defect, 

 I do not have them shod when they work on soft ground, in 

 which case the heels remain well apart, on account of the 

 frog being subjected to pressure. I always have my horses 

 shod with tips, the ends of which are imbedded into the wall 

 at the heels ; and I thus prevent them having their heels con- 

 tracted and their feet becoming diseased. 



Horses are like men ; having obtained physical perfection 

 in them, we further require good temper and courage. 



The highest mental qualification of a horse is to be a free- 

 goer ; because such an animal, contrary to what is often 

 thought, is neither irritable nor sulky. I will again refer to 

 this point. At present I confine myself to stating that such 

 a horse is valuable, even if his make and shape are only 

 moderate. If an animal has not the essential requirement of 

 being always ready to go forward, he is useless, although he 

 may be a perfect picture to look at. 



I like to begin breaking a horse when he is two off and not 

 more than three years old, and to buy if possible in or near 



