120 THE HORSE. 



In forming an estimate of any particular horse, it is 

 a good plan at first to take a general and rapid survey 

 of bis outline. The first impression is frequently wor- 

 thy of attention ; but if it is not well founded, it can 

 easily be rectified aftei-wards. After this cursory in- 

 spection, it will be well to examine every important 

 point in detail, keeping steadily in view the peculiari- 

 ties of form which the animal should possess, for the 

 puipose for which he is designed. A horse ought al- 

 ways to present such distinctive features as will at once 

 set him down for some specific use. If he is a nonde- 

 script animal — fitted for one purpose in one part, and a 

 different purpose in another part, but for nothing on 

 the whole — if, in short, he has neither trade, profes- 

 sion, nor occupation, the sooner he is thrown to the 

 dogs the better. Let the perfections and imperfections 

 of evcjy point be carefully observed in detail, and then 

 the obsei-ver will be in a position to rectify or confirm 

 the first impressions which he received. It wiU even 

 be necessary to take a second look at the general out- 

 line, for the purpose of obsemng how the most impor- 

 tant parts are fitted for, and connected Tvdth each 

 other. Nothing could be of more consequence than 

 the proportional development and exact balancing of 

 the difi'erent parts of the machineiy. It is the rarest 

 thing imaginable to find a horse well proportioned 

 throughout ; but when he is found, I would recommend 

 the owner not to part with him on any account. 



