CON FORMATION. 449 



Certain sorts of work require special strength or features in particular 

 parts of the frame. For instance, good hocks are especially essential in 

 a hunter, good feet in a hackney, high courage and the best blood in a 

 race-horse. 



Furthermore, circumstances in a great measure modify or increase the 

 importance of particular points even in horses intended for the same class 

 of work. Thus good ribs and chest or an aptitude to carry flesh even 

 under short rations and hard work are essential in a troop horse ; whilst 

 in a well fed, well cared for, moderately worked riding horse, no ill effect 

 from slack or short ribs may ever become apparent, even though the 

 owner rides eighteen stone. Again, length, especially in the hind quarters, 

 is essential, where pace is required, whilst in animals not required for 

 fast work, it is not equally material. A blind horse is inconvenient and 

 dangerous to ride, but yet may go very well and safely in double harness. 



These instances and remarks might easily be multiplied to any extent. 

 Our object, however, is only to impress on the reader, that instead of 

 looking for perfection, which either cannot be obtained or can only be 

 obtained at a very long price, he should look out for a horse suitable and 

 good for the purposes for which he wants him. 



If the purchaser finds that he has made a mistake in the animal he has 

 bought, the author would recommend him to get rid of him at a sacrifice, 

 rather than persist in putting him to a class of work for which he is 

 physically unfit. 



930. Action. 



Good true action generally, but not always accompanies a well-formed 

 outline. Action is greatly dependent on the muscular power and on the 

 tendons and ligaments, though these again depend on the bony conforma- 

 tion. Strength of muscle and leverage derived from the conformation of 

 the bones must go together. If the muscle is strong, but the leverage is 

 weak, it is of no avail. On the other hand, the position of the bones, 

 however favorable it may be, will be of no use unless there are muscles 

 powerful enough to work them. 



We must not forget that the bone in the well-bred horse is stronger, 

 heavier in proportion to size, and more solid than in the under-bred 

 animal. The muscles partake of the same character, being clean, fibrous, 

 and free from adipose tissue. When the muscles are in the state fittest 

 for exertion, the horse is said to be " in condition." 



The thorough-bred horse owes his speed to the mechanical arrange- 

 ment of his frame ; whilst the cart horse for his particular work requires 

 solidity and squareness of make. These are the two extremes. Between 

 them lie those structural formations which are most suitable for ordinary 

 riding purposes and light harness work. 



Again, the well-bred horse is endowed with much greater nervous 

 energy than the cart horse. The quality of blood, as is generally sup- 

 posed, but more probably greater brain power and generally increased 

 nervous development, give this mysterious vital stamina. the will and 

 the endurance. 



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