420 POINTS. 



characterized. The calcis, as the backward projection is technically- 

 termed, stands forth prominently and affords the greater leverage for the 

 motor agents to act upon. 



When the quarters of the two breeds are contrasted, the difference is 

 found to be extreme ; the pervading attributes of each characterizes the 

 innate qualities of the animal to which the part belonged. The distinc- 

 tions which divide the two are by these members well indicated. There 

 was, some time back, a loud discussion as to what kind of horse was 

 best fitted for ordinary purposes. The old staging days should have 

 settled such a question ; for then fast coaches found the employment of 

 the nobler quadrupeds to their interest. Where slow and heavy propul- 

 sion is desired, the coarser animal is infinitely to be preferred. For all 

 the gentler purposes of society, the thorough-bred is, in the author's 

 opinion, to be recommended. Only, these fine creatures should be prop- 

 erly reared ; they ought not, as now, to be produced with all the haste 

 of greed, and cast upon the general public when found unsuited to the 

 purposes for which they were generated. 



It is offensive, if not painful, to hear persons speak of certain horses 

 as though particular quadrupeds were created only for special uses. A 

 good horse is fit for nearly every purpose ; but such an animal is gen- 

 erally employed for the saddle. A thorough-bred, with lofty and well- 

 developed quarters, is too valuable not to be appropriated by the race- 

 course. A blood, with so much bulk and stoutness as to indicate the 

 qualities of endurance rather than of speed, is always destined to be- 

 come a hunter. Horses of the purer breed are supposed not well suited 

 for gentlemen's hacks. Good animals of this description are only too 

 valuable for common purposes ; but no creature is, by its intelligence, its 

 activity, its gracefulness or its beauty, so admirably qualified for the 

 companionship of man as the noblest type of the equine race. 



The manner in which the racer trots is asserted to express the action 

 which is natural to all of the thorough-breed. Before the reader agrees 

 to that assertion, he should remember the trot is not a natural pace, nor 

 one which the racer is broken to exhibit. Seen upon the course, the 

 foot evidently moves too near the earth to clear the ruts of most Eng- 

 lish highways. Yet, as there shown, the motion is not to be despised. 

 During it, at each step the limbs are extended ; the reach is admirable, 

 and affords a far better foundation for excellence in a hack than the 

 up-and-down pounding motion which is so highly esteemed by the 

 ignorant. 



The greatest possible speed, with the least possible amount of exer- 

 tion, is secured by the thorough-bred trot. The ground is cpvered, while 

 the pace is easy and pleasant to the rider. It is very opposite to that 



