HOW TO BUY A HORSE 377 



which is always a bad point, as not allowing sufficient 

 scope to the lungs, and never so pleasing to the eye as 

 a broad expanded front. Still, some horses have 

 proved both hardy and good in point of action with 

 narrow chests ; but these have had depth to compensate 

 for the want of breadth. However, there is a medium 

 in the width of the chest, because great width is 

 invariably accompanied with want of action ; 

 and such horses are better adapted for cart or farm 

 purposes. 



The back should be short and somewhat arched 

 across the loins ; the chest deep, and the ribs expand- 

 ing, especially between the last rib and the huckle- 

 bone, or hip, so as not to permit of a hollow betwixt 

 them, which is always unsightly to the eye, if it is not 

 a physical defect. No feeding will fill up a hollow in 

 that quarter ; nor can a horse be pleasing to the eye 

 which has not well-formed hind-quarters. These 

 should be rounded and full, and the muscles of the 

 hips well developed. A low rump is a characteristic 

 feature of the Irish horse. This is termed among 

 dealers goose-rumped. Many blood-horses have this 

 characteristic. Horses long in the quarter are seldom 

 serviceable ; if a horse is required for field sports, 

 always choose him short in the quarters, as this is a 

 character possessed by all good leapers. The thighs 

 must be muscular, and extending to the hock, from 

 which to the hoof he should be clean, flat, and sinewy. 

 The back part of the thigh ought to have a consider- 

 able bend, as a straight-legged animal seldom possesses 

 good action, although there are exceptions to this 

 rule. Avoid those which are cat-hammed, that is, 

 with their hocks nearly touching each other. See that 

 the fore-legs are strong and muscular down to the 

 knee, and otherwise formed as we have described 



