74 PHILOSOPHY OF TROTTIXG. 



thence to the centre of the ankle joint, by the eye, for the front 

 cannon-bone ; for the rear leverag^e, I measure from the centre of the 

 liip joint to the outer edge of the hock, and from the point or knuckle 

 of the stifle joint to the same place. 



The study of conformation, in its bearing on the question of adap- 

 tation for the trotting gait, is nothing more than comparative anatomy. 

 To afford satisfactory or valuable conclusions, it must be based on 

 accurate estimates of form. The measure affords the only basis of 

 accuracy. The eye, in those best acquainted with horses, is often 

 deceptive as to the comparative relations of one part with another.. 

 It is exceedingly common to find a practical horseman pronounce a 

 horse long and far-reaching in a certain leverage, vphen the measure 

 reveals the fact that he is not of unusual or even medium length in 

 that respect. By actual measurement we are enabled to study the 

 trotting horse in two aspects, and reach conclusions that approximate 

 toward definite results: first, in how far, and in what manner gait is 

 affected by form; and, secondly, the peculiarities of conformation that, 

 attend particular lines of breeding. 



The practical and appreciative application of the measure in study- 

 ing the trotting horse involves a knowledge of the anatomical pecu- 

 liarities of different animals and families. Without this knowledge, 

 no light is shed on the subject by ascertaining the proportions or 

 conformation in any case. Hence it is that many regard as illusive- 

 all suggestions respecting the length or shortness of this or that, 

 member. As they are wholly ignorant on every branch of the sub- 

 ject, they gather no light from its most important factors. 



There is a class of those who assume to write on horses who sneer 

 at the idea of ascertaining proportionate conformation by exact 

 measurement. It is probably a matter that is beyond the comprehen- 

 sion of their intellects or outside of the range of their attainments.. 

 All horsemen measure the horse in all his points, in one way or 

 another. It is generally done by the eye, and they at once pronounce 

 him long or short, strong or weak in this or that particular. Such 

 is the way they generally outline a horse, but often with great 

 relative error, and always in a manner that is exceedingly indefinite. 

 The exact measure, in order to be of value, may involve a knowledge 

 of the relative proportions of different families, and brains enough to- 

 make the proper deductions therefrom, but surely no one possessing 

 each of these conditions will regard the study of horses in the light 

 of comparative anatomy as of no value. The tape-line is no direct 



