3S4 



CHAPTER XXII. 



CONDITION AND GOOD LOOKS. 



Condition, — I use this term here to signify the bodily 

 state in which a horse can, in the best possible manner, do 

 work that will test the power of his lungs and muscles 

 to the utmost. I shall make no reference to " dealers' 

 condition," or " show condition," which is a subject that 

 does not come within the scope of conformation. 



A horse to be in condition must be healthy and sound ; 

 must have his breathing apparatus in the best possible 

 working order ; his muscles developed to the highest degree 

 of perfection, with regard to the nature of the task they 

 have got to perform ; and the amount of fat in his system 

 reduced to a minimum consistent with health. 



I shall now glance at the chief signs of condition in the 

 horse. 



I. Health. — The ordinary indications of health are : 

 coat, bright ; skin, cool (except when heated by exercise, 

 or by the sun), soft and loose over the muscles ; eyes, 

 bright and soft in expression ; visible mucous mem- 

 branes of the eyes and nostrils, healthy looking ; mouth, 

 sweet smelling ; internal temperature (in health about 

 100° F.) ; pulse (from about 35 per minute for heavy 

 cart-horses, to about 45 for small ponies) ; and rate of 

 breathing (10 to 12 per minute, when at rest), normal. 

 The dung should be fairly well formed, free from mucus, 

 and from any offensive smell. The appetite as a rule 

 should be good ; although horses may become a bit 



