34 What is a Thoroughbred? 



be as good a stayer as the one who does not, and 

 high action is a beauty which deHghts men's eyes 

 and opens their purses. Because the long stride 

 of the turf is better for being low, it is not safe 

 to apply this rule to the road. 



There are many more worthless brutes among 

 thoroughbreds than among the common herd. 

 While it is easy to acknowledge that the perfect 

 thoroughbred excels all other horses, the fact 

 must also be noted that he is of extremest rarity, 

 and even when found is infrequently up to 

 weight. If we use the word advisedly, only the 

 horse registered in the Stud Book is a thorough- 

 bred. These have no early training whatever, ex- 

 cept to allow themselves to be mounted, and to 

 run their best. If they stand the initial test of 

 speed, they are reserved for the turf, and there 

 wholly spoiled for the saddle or for any other pur- 

 pose of pleasure. If they do not, they are turned 

 adrift, half spoiled in mouth and manners by 

 tricky stable-boys, and may or may not fall into 

 good hands. For one thoroughbred with perfect 

 manners, sound, and up to weight, there are a 

 score of really good half-breds, as near perfection 

 as their owners choose or are able to make them. 



What we in America are apt colloquially to call 

 a thoroughbred is only a horse which, in his looks, 

 shows some decided infusion of good blood, or is 

 sired by a well-bred horse. But it is to be re- 



