THE HIND-QUARTERS. 101 



ponent that cannot easily be compensated for. The 

 animal with first-rate hind and fore-quarters will get 

 over his fences, and start again, so nimbly that a 

 person would almost imagine he was going on smooth 

 gi'ound. He will not dwell either in taking his leap, or 

 in recovering from its efi'ects. 



It matters not for what purpose the horse is intended, 

 he is no favourite of mine unless he has a well-shaped, 

 lengthy, and strong hind-quarter. This must be the 

 point, or fulcnim, from whence his effort proceeds. 



That the carter requii-es great power behind is 

 proved by the fact, that he cannot pull his load up 

 the hill, especially durmg frost, unless he is well pre- 

 pared in the hind-feet. He must have sharp toe- 

 pieces on the hind-feet shoes to catch the ground, 

 although such contrivances may frequently be dis- 

 pensed with on the fore-feet. Does not this prove 

 that the power comes chiefly from behind ? Again, 

 look at the waggon-horse starting his load on the rail- 

 way, when he is obliged to use the greatest effort of 

 which he is capable. Is it not plain to be seen, with 

 half an eye, that the great moving power resides in his 

 hind-quarters? The effort he makes with them is 

 prodigious. 



Eveiy horse intended for galloping and leaping 

 must be furnished with good hind-quarters. Galloping 

 consists merely of a succession of leaps ; and no animal 



