16 DETERIORATED CONDITION OF 



traits of such of our older race-horses as have 

 been handed down to us by the pencil of Sey- 

 mour and other artists, he will find that the 

 forms of those horses corresponded with the 

 great tasks they accomplished, for they 

 had short legs, deep bodies, wide hips, and 

 strong loins. The fine shapes of those 

 horses show how little, as a race, they had 

 been injured by their great performances, 

 which commenced early in the reign of Charles 

 the Second. 



With the exception of a single race at New- 

 market, of four miles, and only run twice a 

 year, two miles, two miles and a half, one mile 

 and a half, and one mile, are the distances now 

 usually ran. Then how is this four mile race 

 run by our present horses ? By cantering 

 through a great part of it. The tasks now 

 performed, however, are enough, and more 

 than enough, for the diminished powers of our 

 present horses. 



Besides the great change which has taken 

 place in the forms of our race-horses, they are 

 become strongly disposed to lameness. Before 

 even starting for their first race many of the 

 best are lame, others are rendered so for life 



