THE MORGAN HORSE. 71 



He had a little long hair about the fetlocks, and for two or 

 three inches aboVe the fetlock, on the back-side of the legs ; the 

 rest of his limbs were entirely free from it. His feet were small, 

 but well-shaped ; and he was in every respect perfectly sound 

 andjree from blemish. He was a very fast walker. In trotting, 

 his gait was low and smooth, and his step short and nervous ; 

 he was not what in these days would be called fast, and we 

 think it doubtful whether he could trot a mile much, if any, 

 within four minutes, although it is claimed by many that he 

 could trot in three. 



*' Although he raised his feet but little, he never stumbled. 

 His proud, bold, and fearless style of movement, and his vigor- 

 ous, untiring action have, perhaps, never been surpassed. * 

 ***** jjg ^j^g r^ g^^j. runner at short distances. 

 Running short distances for small stakes, was very common in 

 Vermont fifty years ago. Eighty rods was very generally the 

 length of the course which usually commenced at a tavern or 

 grocery, and extended the distance agreed upon up or down the 

 public road. In these races the horses were started from a 

 scratch ; that is, a mark was drawn across the road in the dirt, 

 and the horses, ranged in a row upon it, went off at the drop- 

 ping of a hat, or some other signal. 



"It will be observed that the form of Justin Morgan was not 

 such as, in our days, is thought best calculated to give the 

 greatest speed for a short distance. Those who believe in long- 

 legged racers will think his legs, body, and stride, were all too 

 short, and to them it may, perhaps, seem surprising that he 

 ^ould be successful, as he invariably was, in such contests." 



The qualities claimed for this stock are neat style, good 

 trotting action, great honesty, great quickness and sprightliness 



