THE SELECTION OF A HORSE 



shoulder just touches the toe. It is important 

 that the angle formed by the arm should be 

 large ; the best show horses have an arm 

 forming an angle of 60 degrees ; the angle 

 formed by the shoulder being about the same, 

 making a total angle at the point of 1 1 5 to 1 20 

 degrees. The arm from the shoulder point to 

 the centre of the forearm in hunters is generally 

 a good half of the distance from the point to 

 the top of the withers. 



High withers running well into the back 

 and a sloping shoulder generally ensure com- 

 fort in riding ; and if the back is strong and 

 bends downwards readily, when pinched just 

 over the loins, the horse will be a nice hack. 

 For hunting he must have a deep girth, well 

 sprung ribs, extending to within a hand's 

 breadth of the hips, which should be wide — 

 plum-shaped hips are very objectionable — a 

 strong big dock to his tail is a good point, 

 showing as it does a strong spine, and con- 

 sequently good nervous system ; he should also 

 have muscular quarters and second thighs and 

 strong hocks. 



The bones running from the point of the 

 hip to the hip joint, and from there to the nick 

 in the stifle, should be long and be placed so as 

 to form a good open angle, say, 70 to 90 degrees, 



