THE ROADSTER TYPE 35 



steep, short croup is responsible for many a pacing gait, for 

 a horse with steep croup can pace more easily than trot, hand- 

 ling his feet with less interference than would occur in trotting. 

 The thighs and quarters are usually long and thin, measuring a 

 great proportionate length from hip to hock, as is also the case 

 with the Thoroughbred. The hocks should be deep and strongly 

 muscular, and should be placed square and true in relation to each 

 other. If the hocks tend to come in and the hind feet toe out, 

 the pacing gait often naturally occurs. Trueness of position of 

 feet and legs will assure a trueness of gait if the feet are prop- 

 erly shod and balanced. Quality is an essential in the roadster. 

 This is seen in the fine hair and soft skin, the refinement of 

 head and limbs, the prominence of veins and muscles, and the 

 harmony and symmetry of parts. Action of the most powerful 

 kind is looked for in this type. It must be true, varying neither 

 to right nor left ; each foot must be carried along the proper 

 line, and the movement, no matter of what kind, should be snappy 

 and free of interference or clumsiness. Strong, long-reaching 

 knee and hock action, with the feet picked up smartly, is most 

 essential. Horses of this class carry the legs farther forward 

 and back, thus having a greater stride, with less elevation of 

 knee and hock, than the coach horse. The action of the roadster, 

 however, should approach that of the coacher, up to the point 

 where speed is not sacrificed for coach form. 



