OUR SADDLE-HORSES. 19 



that which results from much constitutional 

 vigour. 



The high stature of our race-horses has given 

 a like form to nearly all our mixed breed of 

 horses, and with more or less delicacy and 

 want of constitutional vigour. Another bad 

 consequence of this high stature, and accom- 

 panying delicacy, is the present frequency of 

 the disease called roaring, which indicates 

 imperfect action of the lungs. This disease 

 seems to be every year increasing amongst our 

 tall horses, while it is comparatively little 

 known amongst those whose stature does not 

 exceed 15h. 2 in. On the continent, where the 

 horses are much less delicate, roaring is 

 unknown. 



Jt is now many years since I have seen any 

 English horses with those very flat fore legs, 

 which result from very large back sinews, for- 

 merly so common amongst our well-bred horses, 

 and yet to be seen amongst the best Arabs. 



It is curious to observe the helplessness of 

 our thorough-bred foals, which usually cannot 

 move about for some days after being born. 

 On first observing this I thought it natural, but 

 soon found it was the pure effect of constitu- 



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