VI PREFACE. 



As, of necessity, these subjects sometimes run into 

 each other, a copious index at the end of this book 

 will save the reader any perplexity, and enable him 

 to find what he wants. 



There have from time to time been published plenty 

 of books upon the real and imaginary perfections of the 

 horse ; but it must be admitted that no horse ever came 

 up to the standard of excellence set up by the authors 

 of those works. Of course not. These writers have 

 brought together a collection of equine excellences, and 

 made it appear to the general reader that a sound and 

 good horse possesses them all. Such argument is not 

 based on common sense. As well expect to find the 

 average human form as divinely beautiful as the Apollo 

 Belvidere or the Venus de Medici ; or, at least, to 

 reject as models for the student in sculpture or painting 

 all subjects not " thoroughly up to the mark/' Nobody, 

 nothing is perfect according to our own artificial stan- 

 dards ; but with a little attention to practical detail; as 

 laid down by men of experience, and a large allowance 

 of common sense, we may find the tools for our work. 



There are few horses that would stand the strict test 

 of examination for purposes of unqualified warranty, 

 even amongst those that have not been worked ; but 

 few indeed would be those that had been worked that 

 would not fall under the denomination of UNSOUND. 



One of the most experienced men in the business, 

 who dealt for many years in horses for those who can 

 and will have the best animals in the country, Mr. 

 George Elmore, said, " Not one in three of fresh and 

 unused horses would pass an examination ; and when a 



