THE CAVALRY HORSE 167 



barrel, legs that are well-muscled from the knee and hock 

 upward, with short cannon bones and small, well-proportioned 

 feet under pasterns of proper length, give us little to criticize in 

 the Morgan. 



I will in justice, however, mention the points that to me 

 are a little objectionable in the general run of Morgans. Many 

 of them are small under the knee — not short, but what is 

 'known as " tied in." Also the pastern is usually too nearly 

 vertical, which* might appear to be indicative of an undesirable 

 quality in a mount. Seldom, however, does this produce the 

 effect of a rough gait, as might be expected. The Morgan 

 steps daintily and moves with the grace of a dancer. The 

 Morgan trotting stock has the most beautiful action in the 

 world. 



I have seen Morgans perform wonderfully in an endurance 

 test where they were ridden one hundred and fifty-four miles in 

 about thirty-one hours, from which they emerged in excellent 

 condition and took prizes in saddle classes the next afternoon. 

 I have had them compete successfully in jumping contests with 

 thoroughbred mounts of some of the best horsemen in the 

 army. I have used them in cavalry drill, on practice marches, 

 and in every sort of work that cavalry might be called upon to 

 do with its mounts, including cross-country riding, with 

 obstacles difficult for any horse to pass, and always with great 

 satisfaction. 



There is In this country only one possible superior 

 to the Morgan horse as a cavalry steed, and that is the 

 trottlng-bred horse. The perfect cavalry horse should 

 be, I think, a horse of 1,050 pounds; and very few 

 Morgans reach that weight. This matter of weight is 

 very Important. Many persons think that a well-bred 

 polo pony would make an Ideal cavalry horse; but a 



