61 



lorse has " done his work," whatever may be his 

 ige ; he is decidedly " groggy," and should be re- 

 ected. It proceeds from relaxation of the sinews, 

 md in young horses may be relieved and perhaps 

 ^ured, by rest and blistering ; but still the animal 

 mil never be fit for much exertion. 



There are other points in the action to which a 

 good judge will direct his eye ; such as the 

 3aiTiage of the head and tail, steadiness and 

 uniformity of the trot, and the promptitude with 

 which the check is obeyed ; if he is ver^ particu- 

 lar, he will even see him in the lunge. I am not 

 writing, however, for the professed jockey, but 

 (if there is such an oddity to be found) for the 

 acknowledged ignoramus. When he finds him- 

 self qualified to judge of the soundness of action, 

 he will not be long before he learns for himself, in 

 what its elegance consists. 



With one further hint to him, in reference to 

 lameness, I shall quit the subject. Be careful to 

 observe if a horse, apparently even free and bold in 

 .action, does not occasionally drop ; if a casual halt 

 !or a sort of misgiving on any leg is perceived, re- 

 ject the animal at once ; he will fall almost to a 

 certainty, when put to his work. It is difficult to 

 penetrate the cause of this defect — in some cases it 

 arises from splents, in others from sprains, in many 



II 



