VALUE OF ACTION. 83 



tendon must be at their fullest tension ; and this tension 

 we find many very brilliant horses unable to preserve 

 beyond a mile, but at a slightly reduced speed they can 

 keep it up — so to say — for ever. 



But it may be objected, 'why cannot also the 

 Queen's plater do precisely the same and in an in- 

 creased ratio ? ' The answer is this, he would un- 

 doubtedly do so, if equally possessed of the same 

 qualification for steeplechasing, viz., action, forma- 

 tion, a quick eye and foot, and indomitable courage ; 

 but if he does not possess these, he will assuredly 

 suffer an inglorious defeat at the hands of his in- 

 feriors in racing over smooth turf, but his superiors in 

 getting over uneven and unsound ground, and conse- 

 quently his superiors in action. 



It does appear then that action must be the one 

 qualification, and that the horse must be thoroughbred 

 I have already stated as my firm conviction. 



It is also a matter of moment with some to consider 

 what importance attaches to any distinct strain of blood ; 

 whether the very stout or the more speedy strains are 

 to be sought ; but these are questions, for the reasons 

 stated above, on which I must decline to offer any 

 decided opinion ; but this much I think it safe to assert, 

 that if a horse can be found of the stoutest blood and 

 performances together with the desired shape and qua- 

 lifications, undoubtedly he is to be preferred to an 

 animal of more speed but inferior in stoutness ; but if 

 stoutness be his only recommendation it will avail him 

 little in steeplechasing. 



G 2 



