26 PURCHASING FROM THE STABLES. 



tinually called fine chests, but they are as bad 

 as bull-necks. 



THE DEPTH OF GIRTH, AND CARCASE. 



The depth of girth cannot be too great, and 

 the carcase, which should resemble a barrel, and 

 not be flat-sided, should swell out well under 

 the elbows ; then, with the moderately broad chest, 

 you will be sure to have what are indispensable, 

 good large lungs. A carcase that is flat-sided is 

 equally bad for running as for appearance. The 

 depth of girth is a point that admits of measure- 

 ment, but then the chest must sink deep between 

 the fore legs, or else very high withers alone may 

 contribute more than their proper share to make 

 a large girth : sixty-four to sixty-five inches will 

 be very good for an Arab of fourteen hands to 

 fifteen hands one inch ; but if you have an eye 

 for a horse, you will tell at once if it is good, or 

 not. There should also be some distance between 

 the last false rib and the haunch-bone, that the 

 hind legs in the gallop may be thrown well 

 under : this is allowed to be an excellence in 

 the racer, though it detracts a little from the 

 strength. 



Horses, whose carcases are light, and legs rather 



