588 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



respects was desirable, ground purposely stony in the 

 extreme was chosen, over which he was tried ; and it 

 was singular to remark, that in every pace he accom- 

 modated the elevation of his feet exactly to the eleva- 

 tions of surface they were to pass over ; but it was with 

 a kind of frightful nicety to the observer. On the same 

 ground, many high actioned horses, from inattention 

 to the matters on it, might have tripped by meeting 

 any unusual rising ; or, by placing one of the feet on 

 a rolling stone, might have fallen altogether. But it 

 is not hence meant to argue, that the most careful 

 hackney which does not naturally elevate his feet is a 

 desirable one. Horses, it is true, are in a great degree 

 crepuscular, and see in a very m.oderate light. But 

 would such a horse be safe to ride at a brisk trot along 

 an uneven road in a dark night ? Or even in a long 

 day, might not fatigue bring his feet down without his 

 usual caution ? 



The fore-hand of the hackney, therefore, should be 

 elevated, and his shoulder by all means must be oblique, 

 so that he may not only lift up his feet, but also ride 

 lightly in hand, as it is termed by horsemen. To which 

 latter valuable quality it is also essential that he have 

 a neck of just proportions, and that his head be par- 

 ticularly well placed on it, so as to afford him room 

 for flexing himself to the action of the bridle, which, 

 in the hands of a good rider, will sometimes constrain 

 him to throw himself on his haunches, and at others to 

 carry himself forward for more speedy progression. 

 The remainder of the fore limbs ought to present a 

 perfectly vertical line to the pastern, which should 

 have such length and obliquity, and such only, as shall 

 bring the toe directly under the point of the shoulder. 

 The body should be circular, neither long nor very 

 short ; his saddle-placing good, his flank on a plane 



