HIND EXTREMITIES. 101 



beauties are not surpassed by the most perfect 

 female (human) figure, and seeing that in our social 

 life these latter are hidden, undoubtedly a hunter in 

 highest condition, prepared for the chase, is per- 

 haps the most entrancing of sights. Look out 

 then in judging a horse for beautiful curves. There 

 are some— but they must be first rate judges — who can 

 afford to lose sight of these curves in purchasing what 

 they term a poor horse, i.e., a horse not in condition. 

 When this is so, they must see to the relative length 

 and hulk of the levers (bones) being what is desir- 

 able, also that the joints are large and flat, and of 

 course an absence of blemishes. If the bones of the 

 extremities are of proper length and stoutness, 

 then — except of course in disease — the muscles will 

 either be in good condition, or will be capable of 

 being made so, and they will be massive and present 

 bold beautiful curved outlines. 



The ilio-ischium should be broad so as to present 

 abundant surface for muscular attachment. If the 

 T shaped upper surface looks upwards from the 

 quarters being ' ragged' from point 1 (Fig. 11), being 

 on a level with point 2, then the body of muscles occu- 

 pying this space will present a curve with a convexity 

 looking directly upwards {see Fig. 12). -But should 

 point 1 be much lower, the convexity of the curve looks 

 outwards and upwards {see Fig. 13), and the curve 

 formed— as seen when standing behind — in the 

 latter case between point 1 and the stifle joint will 

 be less broken, and therefore the more elegant. 



