THE HACKNEY, OR ROADSTER 397 



large and thin shoulders, strong and muscular thighs, 

 deep chest, and short back. Above all, his joints 

 should be strong, firm, and closely knit, his legs and 

 pasterns rather short ; for I believe there never was 

 yet a long hinder-legged horse that was able to gallop 

 down steep hills and take bold leaps with a weight 

 upon his back, without sinking or foundering. And, 

 lastly, his feet should be moderately large and 

 sound. 



THE HACKNEY, OR ROADSTER, 



Should be a hunter of a small size ; his height not 

 exceeding fifteen hands and an inch ; rather below 

 than above that size. His make should be more 

 compact than that of the hunter, with considerably 

 more substance according to his height, so as to fit 

 him for the fatigues of everyday work. His forehand 

 should be high, but rather light ; his head small, and 

 placed on the neck in a gradually tapering manner, 

 with a clear, full, and sprightly eye ; his shoulder 

 should be deep and large ; his back straight, and his 

 loins strong ; his withers well raised, his fillets wide ; 

 and his croop gradually descending, but must not drop 

 too abruptly, nor must his tail be too low set. The 

 forearm and thighs should be strong and muscular ; 

 and the legs rather short than otherwise, straight, and 

 rather near set, but the touching of the hoofs to be 

 carefully avoided. An essential point is, that the 

 shank-bone should be solid and flat. It is of great 

 consequence that the bones beneath the knee should 

 be deep and flat, and the tendon not too much 

 tightened. His feet ought to point straight forward, 

 with the heels wide and open ; the fore-legs closely set, 

 and as straight as possible ; for a horse with bent 



