somewhat increasing, at the shoulder, which should also recline back- 

 ward. 



Running-horses are sometimes, if the phrase be admissible, singly 

 qualified, namely, distinguished exclusively, for speed or stoutness. 

 Thus a Horse shall be able to run well half a mile, a mile, or two miles ; 

 he shall be able to beat a Horse at even weights, a single mile, which 

 same antagonist carrying three stone, or forty-two pounds more weight 

 than him, would yet be able to beat him, with ease, over a four-mile 

 course. Again, a stout, or lasting Horse, shall be able to run through 

 a long course, as nearl}^ as it is possible, to the summit of his speed ; but 

 the degree of his speed shall be too inconsiderable for use. Nature 

 having been lavish of one qualification, became niggard of the other, 

 and Horses with far less game, will, by out-footing, conquer these slow 

 good Horses, in the longest race. But these extremes seldom occur, and 

 a stout Horse with a good stride and moderate speed, will often beat 

 those Horses over the course, which will canter from them in a short 

 race. Exclusive of great and eminent single qualities, it is more pro*- 

 iitable to have a racer with a well-apportioned mixture of each ; but of 

 the two, the Horse with ready speed, will win more money than the 

 stout good one. I have heard arguments in former days, at Jack Med- 

 ley's dinners, in support of the old notion, that all difference in the na- 

 ture of Horses, relative to speed and stoutness, was suppositious and chi- 

 merical. But what becomes of facts, in the logic of these reasoners ? 



As to the paces and action of the thorough-bred Horse, it has been 

 ahead 3^ observed, that his strokes are too long to admit of his excelhng 

 in the trot : his paces are the walk and gallop, and when used upon the 

 road, or in the field, the canter. There is a material and usual distinc- 

 tion in the action of this species of the Horse ; they are sometimes 

 striders, and in the old phrase, daisy-cutters ; or they have a shorter and 

 more active stroke, bending the knee, and lifting their feet clear of the 

 ground. Joined with an apportionate power in the loins, activity and 

 throwing in of the haunches, the most extensive strides must certainly 

 cover the greatest quantity of ground in a given time; and Horses so 

 qualified have been the great conquerors on the turf, behind whom, all 

 their cotemporaries have been compelled by nature and fortune, to keep 



a respectful 



