422 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



with a loftj fore-hand, a head and neck as light as possible, 

 clear wide jaws and nostrils, large and thin shoulders, strong 

 and muscular thighs, deep chest, and short back. Above 

 all, his joints should be strong, firm, and closely knit, his 

 legs and pasterns rather short ; for I believe there never 

 was yet a long hinder-legged horse that was able to gallop 

 down steep hills and take bold leaps with a weight upon his 

 back, without sinking or foundering. And, lastly, his feet 

 should be moderately large, and sound. 



THE HACKNEY, OR ROADSTER, 



Should be a hunter of a small size ; his height not exceed- 

 ing fifteen hands and an inch ; rather below than above 

 that size. His make should be more compact than that of 

 the hunter, with considerably more substance according to 

 his height, so as to fit him for the fatigues of everyday- 

 work. His forehand should be high, but rather light ; his 

 head small, and placed on the neck in a gradually tapering 

 manner, with a clear, full, and sprightly eye ; his shoulder 

 should be deep and large ; his back straight, and his loins 

 strong ;• his withers well raised, his fillets wide ; and his 

 croop gradually descending, but must not drop too abruptly, 

 nor must his tail be too low set. The fore-arm and thighs 

 should be strong and muscular; and the legs rather short 

 than otherwise, straight, and rather near set, but the 

 touching of the hoofs to be carefully avoided. An essential 

 point is, that the shank-bone should be solid and flat. It 

 is of great consequence that the bones beneath the knee 

 should be deep and flat, and the tendon not too much 

 tightened. His feet ought to point straight forward, with 

 the heels wide and open ; the fore-legs closely set, and as 

 straight as possible ; for a horse with bent knees is very 

 likclv to stumble and ^11 when his feet come in contact 



