CHAPTER IV 

 THE SADDLE BREEDS OF HORSES 



SADDLE horses of whatever breeding should first show 

 their ability to carry weight, in short backs, closely coupled, 

 muscular loins and comparatively short, stout legs. The 

 feature of conformation that serves to distinguish the 

 saddle horse most is the long sloping shoulder, and the 

 consequent high withers extending well back; also the 

 long, shapely, supple neck so essential to a light forehand. 

 They must also have a sure, springy step and a collected 

 way of going, in order to give a safe and satisfactory ride. 



THOROUGHBRED HORSE. Plate V. Figs. 17-19. 

 By Carl W. Gay 



124. The term Thoroughbred, in its correct application, 

 is restricted to designate the English race horse or runner, 

 only. The incorrect use of the term, as synonymous with 

 pure-bred, is so common as to lead to much confusion and 

 misunderstanding. A " thoroughbred " trotter would be 

 an anomaly and a " thoroughbred " Percheron impossible. 

 When it is intended to indicate the total absence of alien 

 blood, pure-bred is the proper adjective.- Thoroughbred 

 is a noun. 



There is no one best breed of horses, but because of a 

 more general adaptability to a wider range of conditions 



108 



