70 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



the end of the ride, and watch the horse's approach, 

 as well as Kis passing action. 



A wide straddling action of the hind legs or the 

 opposite fault, of having the hocks too close, so as to 

 turn the hind feet outwards on the trot, is very un- 

 graceful, and usually implies an uneasy seat. The 

 latter fault is generally described as cow-hocked, be- 

 cause it makes the action resemble that of a cow. It 

 is not uncommon in fast horses, but I am not aware 

 that it indicates unsoundness, though it is commonly 

 said to render a horse more liable to spavin and 

 thorough-pin. 



The ostler and the dealer together, almost always 

 contrive to put the horse to his full trot, when 

 shown. The object of this is to conceal lameness. 

 To examine a horse's action fairly, he should be 

 allowed to walk and trot down the ride quite at his 

 own pace, and with head unrestrained : the pace 

 should not exceed five or six miles an hour : and if 

 you can prevail on the dealer to lay aside the whip 

 (a very difficult matter,) it will greatly facilitate your 

 observation. I need scarcely add that the trial 

 should be repeated on the stones or hard road ; for a 

 horse must be tender-footed indeed to show lame 

 when running down the straw. 



