HUNTERS 179 



of the ribs, is the way they spring from the 

 spine, and a horse whose ribs arch well out is 

 often a hardier animal than a more slab-sided 

 one, though the latter may have the larger ribs. 

 What is w^anted is what is often called " a good 

 spur place," in the homely language of the stable. 

 Light back ribs are almost ahvays the sign of a 

 delicate animal, and this is invariably true of 

 a gelding, though not always so of mares if they 

 are deep in their heart ribs ; and these latter 

 frequently stay well in racing. 



Q. Is a roach back a favourable sign for 

 jumping ? 



A. Usually it is, and it is the only redeeming 

 point in a long-backed animal. But there is 

 nothing better than a good flat broad back, re- 

 sembling a ram's. 



Q. Should the croup be level with the back ? 



A. Not for galloping or hunting. It is a 

 distinguishing mark of a Yorkshire coach-horse. 

 All fast racehorses droop somewhat in the croup, 

 and so do Ai-abians invariably. This is not 

 necessary for an elevated carriage of the tail, 

 which gives such an air of fashion and symmetry 

 to a horse, though it certainly simulates extra 

 length. It is to make a miserable imitation of 

 this that induces people to cut most of their 

 horses' tails off, in order that they may elevate 

 the stumps. To the skilled eye the effect is a 

 caricature, and ludicrous ! 



Q. What other objections are there to the 

 practice of docking ? 



A. That when a horse is turned out to grass, 

 either to summer it, or after an illness, or as a 

 brood mare, the poor animal has been deprived 



