^04- 



tion even is favored in the South, where the passion for hunting 

 is only second to that in England. A horse of extra good ac- 

 tion will combine size, indicating capacity for carrying great 

 weight ; high breeding, shown in the crest and head ; wonderful 

 lungs; great length of hip and limbs, and being near perfection 

 as possible • a high caste horse that will not fail his rider in time 

 of need 



NTIII. Racing Horses. 



There is one more class of saddle horses worthy of special 

 notice : the thoroughbred racing horse, the foundation upon 

 which has been built all that is valuable in every horse where 

 speed, bottom, elegance, and great bone, sinew and muscle in 

 every respect are required. It is the fact that on the race course 

 there have been schemes and tricks practiced, probably there 

 always will be those scandalous in the extreme, but frowned up- 

 on by all breeders of respectability. Among the more respectable 

 associations rules of the most stringent character have been 

 drawn, and fairly lived up to. If dishonest jockeying can be 

 still further eliminated the true animus of the turf may have a 

 bright future before it in still farther improving the breed of 

 staunch thoroughbreds, capable of carrying weight, and with 

 bottom to get the rider two, three or four miles at high 

 speed. These are what are really wanted, and not those 

 that at the end of a quarter or a half mile are entirely blown 

 and jaded, or as an Englishman would express it, quite 

 ** pumped out." 



IX. What the Racer Should Be. 



The model racing horse should be from fifteen and a half to 

 sixteen hands high, full and muscular in his build, with clean^ 

 sound limbs, short backed, round in the barrel, with long hips, 

 deep and oblique shoulders, a rangy and not too muscular neck; 

 a head fine, bony and with rather large muzzle and prominent 

 nostrils, broad in the forehead, with a full, bright, but mild eye, 

 denoting a high nervous temperament, uniting great courage 

 with docility. 



