CAREIAGE AND LIGHT DRAUGHT-HORSES. 13 



they are, as a rule, the produce of the thorough-bred horse 

 and af^ricultural or cart mares, the best of these belonoins: 

 to the now somewhat rare Cleveland breed. Many of 

 them have been bred for weight-carrying hunters, but have 

 not turned out sufficiently good or fitted for that purpose, 

 though they often realise nearly as good prices if well matched. 

 The best colours are bay, either dark or light, and brown (and 

 especially dappled) ; chestnut is not so common, and does not 

 appear to be so much sought for, neither is grey. 



It is generally recognised that a good horse for double- 

 harness in these carriages should be lengthy, and yet have a, 

 tolerably short back, wdth oblique and muscular shoulders, 

 long, straight, and strong quarters, strong hocks, and good 

 fore-limbs and feet. The obliquity and shape of the shoulder 

 is not so important in harness as in saddle horses; nevertheless, 

 if they are to have safe and good action, the shoulders must be- 

 well formed and placed, as a good forehand is essential in a 

 harness horse, both for appearance and action ; the latter, it 

 is needless to remark, should be easy and free, both in knee- 

 and hock. 



A neat head and long gracefully curved neck are likewise 

 to be looked for, as well as a deep girth, round body, and ribs 

 carried well back. 



The height, as has been said, will depend upon circum- 

 stances, but sixteen hands, or a little over, is the usual size ; 

 when he measures seventeen hands, the horse is often long- 

 backed, long-legged, and gaunt-looking. 



For single harness, in a landau or brougham, it may be- 

 necessary to have a horse a trifle heavier and stronger than for 

 double harness, but this will depend on the size and weight of 

 the carriage. A first-class brougham horse is a valuable ani- 

 mal ; he should be long and low, well-bodied, and from fifteen 

 and a half to sixteen hands high, according to the height of the 

 fore-wheels of the carriage ; for it is important that the horse- 



