128 England's horses. 



CHAPTER X. 



Having thus far treated of " England's Horses for Peace and 

 War," in the past, present, and future, I venture to carry out my 

 efforts on the noble animals' part still further by submitting for 

 public consideration what I diffidently, but with confidence, 

 entitle : — 



EUREKA! 

 The Powers of the Horse, — Their True Seat. 



In order that we may best apply the animal powers of the horse, 

 with least waste or diminution to the will of man, in draught or 

 burthen, it is expedient that we should study his structure, and 

 from careful examination, fix the true seat of his powers. For it 

 becomes a leading principle in the matter, that without knowing 

 where what we want lies, we cannot use it to advantage, for we 

 know not how effectively to obtain and apply it ; and that it is 

 extremely important that we should know the seat of that from 

 which we expect to accomplish our object; and which, I may add, 

 if we look for anywhere else but where it is, we shall find our- 

 selves involved in as great a waste of power as would befall the 

 millwright, who should immerse his wheel in " back-water " on the 

 one hand, or elevate it out of the action of the falling stream on 

 the other. But, with respect to the whereabouts of that muscular 

 energy, which is the only moving power applicable to our 

 machinery, we find the most varied and conflicting opinions, in 

 which, the only point of agreement seems to be, that the fore and 

 hind legs share, if not divide, the locomotive power of quadrupedal 

 progression. These differences must be reconciled, and Riding 

 Masters must coincide in their views as to the seat of that energy 



