30 THE NEW POCKET FARRIER. 



never show to advantage, and seldom make good saddle 

 or race horses.* 



In showing a horse, a dealer, or jockey, will generally 

 place him with his fore feet on a higher ground than his 

 hind ones, in order that the shoulder may appear further 

 in his back, and make him higher in sight than he really 

 is ; but be sure to cause him to be led on level ground, 

 and see that his shoulders lie well into his back ; for an 

 upright shouldered horse carries his v/eight too forward, 

 which is disagreeable, and unsafe to the rider. Have 

 his fore legs stand even, and you will then have it in 

 your power to judge of his shoulders. If you do not 

 observe this, the dealer will contrive that his near leg 

 stands before the other, as the shoulders, in that position, 

 appear to lay further in the back. If his knees stand 

 nearly close, and his toes quite in a line, not turning in, 

 nor yet turning out, be assured he will not cut ; if he 

 takes his legs up a moderate height, and neither clambers, 

 nor yet goes too near the ground, he will most likely 

 answer your purpose. 



BACK, BODY, &c. 



Observe that the chine of his back be broad, even 

 and straight, his ribs well compassed, and bending 

 outward, his fillets upright, strong, short, and above an 

 handful between his last rib and his buckle bone ; his 

 belly should be well let down, yet hidden within his ribs, 

 and his stones close thrust up to his body, those being 

 marks of health and goodness. Be careful in observing 

 that he has no swelling in his testicles, a disorder that 



* Eclipse is the only instance, we believe, on record to the 

 contrary. " The shoulder of Eclipse was a low one." 



