82 THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF ENGLISH HORSES. 



at the side of the horse and especially beneath the knee. In proportion to the 

 distance of the tendon from the cannon or shank-bone, and more particularly 

 a little below the knee, is the mechanical advantage with which it acts. 



The leg should be shorter. Higher action is required than in the racer, in 

 order that the legs may be clearly and safely lifted over many an obstacle, and, 

 particularly, that they may be well doubled up in the leap. 



The pastern should be shorter, and less slanting, yet retaining considerable 

 obliquity. The long pastern is useful, by the yielding resistance which its 

 elasticity affords to break the concussion with which the race-horse from his 

 immense stride and speed must come on the ground : and the oblique direction 

 of the different bones beautifully contributes to effect the same purpose. With 

 this elasticity, however, a considerable degree of weakness is necessarily con- 

 nected, and the race-horse occasionally breaks down in the middle of his course. 

 The hunter, from his different action, takes not this length of stride, and there- 

 fore wants not all this elastic mechanism. He more needs strength to support 

 his own heavier carcase, and the greater weight of his rider, and to undergo the 

 fatigue of a long day. Some obliquity, however, he requires, otherwise the 

 concussion even of his shorter gallop, and more particularly of his frequently 

 tremendous leaps, would inevitably lame him. 



The foot of the hunter is a most material point. The narrow contracted 

 foot is the curse of much of the racing blood. The work of the racer, however, 

 is all performed on the turf; but the foot of the hunter is battered over many 

 a flinty road and stony field, and, if not particularly good, will soon be disabled 

 and ruined. 



The position of the feet in the hunter requires some attention. They should 

 if possible stand straight. If they turn a little outward, there is no serious 

 objection ; but if they turn inward, his action cannot be safe, particularly when 

 he is fatigued or over- weighted. 



The body should be short and compact, compared with that of the race- 

 horse, that he may not in his gallop take too extended a stride. This would 

 be a serious disadvantage in a long day and with a heavy rider, from the stress 

 on the pasterns ; and more serious when going over clayey poached ground 

 during the winter months. The compact short-strided horse will almost skim 

 the surface, while the feet of the longer-reached animal will sink deep, and he 

 will wear himself out by efforts to disengage himself. 



Every sporting man knows how much more enduring is a short-bodied horse in 

 climbing hills, although perhaps not quite so much in descending them. This 

 is the secret of suiting the race-horse to his course ; and unfolds the apparent 

 mystery of a horse decidedly superior on a flat and straight course, being often 

 beaten by a little horse with far shorter stride, on uneven ground and with 

 several turnings. 



The loins should be broad ; the quarters long ; the thighs muscular ; the 

 hocks well bent, and well under the horse. 



The reader needs not to be told how essential temper and courage are. A 

 hot irritable brute is a perfect nuisance, and the coward that will scarcely face 

 the slightest fence exposes his owner to ridicule*. 



* The grey hunter, a portrait of which Piccadilly for a considerable sum, and by him 



is given in page 81, possesses a very high sold to Mr. Claggett in 1832. He becauife 



character in the Croydon hunt. He was the favourite hunter of that gentleman, and 



bred in Warwickshire, and there his edu- under his guidance performed many gallant 



cation commenced. The country being a feats in various parts of Surrey. In 1835 he 



severe one, the powers of this noble animal was purchased by Sir Edmund Antrobus at a 



were fully developed, and he left Warwick- heavy sum ; and for five seasons was the wor- 



shire in high repute. thy Baronet carried at his ease by this noble 



He was purchased by Mr. Anderson of animal over hill, ridge, and brook, and many 



