152 THE HORSE 



A short back Is preferable for obvious reasons, but 

 a long back may be a strong one, and this rule as to 

 short backs is subject to many exceptions. A famous 

 English rider to hounds remarked, toward the close of 

 his career, that the best three hunters he had ever 

 owned each had the fault of being over long in the 

 back. 



It may be added that a horse with a long back looks 

 much better under a side-saddle than a short-backed 

 one. 



A back slightly hollow, rather than a perfectly 

 straight or roach back, is preferable in a saddle horse, 

 for It Is associated with an easy gait. 



As to action for the saddle, it may be long or short. 

 Some riders prefer one, some the other. But for carry- 

 ing a heavy man, and for endurance a short-stepping 

 horse is the thing. Whatever the length of the stride, 

 the horse should have sufficient knee action to make 

 him sure-footed. Many low-going, "daisy-cutting" 

 horses have great strength of legs and feet, and very 

 seldom stumble; but, sooner or later, they are pretty 

 sure to trip over some obstacle and bring the rider to 

 the ground. 



Hock action adds greatly to the beauty of a saddle 

 horse, and, if not excessive. It makes him easier to ride 

 at the trot; but for endurance the less hock action the 

 better. 



No attempt will be made here to instruct the reader 

 In the training of saddle horses. There are many excel- 

 lent treatises on that subject. A few words, however, 

 about breaking the colt or young horse to ride will be 



