384 Alexander's abd;^llah and descendants. 



have the quality of ahsorl)i»g- all their synovial secretions, and their 

 cellular tissue is of the genuine Abdallah sort — they endure friction. 

 This quality enables him to impart to his ofrs])ring a degree of health 

 and soundness in limbs and hocks, that goes far to enhance the great 

 value of the family. We have learned too many lessons, in respect to 

 this question of unsoundness, in this country, to pass lightly over 

 these points, even though some of the penholders, who write to please 

 owners rather than truthfully instruct the people, may seem querulous 

 about the matter. In the State of Kentucky the peo])le have been 

 educated on this point, and have paid for their schooling. They will 

 tell you, however, that the Almonts are sound in foot, hock and limb. 

 What I have said about the soundness of feet, hocks and limbs of 

 Almont, applies equally to Thorndale. 



In temper Almont is very gentle, and perfectly kind when quiet; 

 but, when in motion, he seems only impatient of the restraint of the 

 rein. He wants to go with great vehemence, and seems to delight 

 most in the fastest gait he can display. 



The gait of Almont, and all his family, amounts to a type by which 

 they are as much distinguished as any other feature. He throws his 

 feet well out in front, but does not lift them high, and does not dis- 

 play any excess of knee action; but their reach is so even and steady, 

 and so much lacking in the high-lifting displays that are sometimes 

 seen, as tq call for the observation from many that he trots unequally be- 

 fore and behind; for, in the matter of wide-spreading stifle, powerfully- 

 acting hocks and grand stride, coupled with a propelling power that 

 is almost terrific, he is a sight worth beholding when he is on the track 

 going at a rate of near 2 : 20. His stroke is powerful and far-sending, 

 and displays uncommon muscular vigor. His quarters and thigh are 

 so muscular, and the latter so long for so short a limbed horse, that 

 his action behind is at once vigorous and striking for the immense 

 leverage he displays, and the short and powerful conformation that ena- 

 bles him to use it at such great advantage. Instead of the long 

 limb and thigh that prevails in the early Clay families, he has a 

 long thigh — 24^ inches — and a reach from hip to hock only 38^ inches, 

 which is half an inch shorter than the Abdallah average; and the 

 result is, that his hind leg moves with less of the elastic, springy and 

 unbending motion, but with a display of vigor in the stifle and thigh 

 that shows in the excess his immense and powerful muscular organi- 

 zation. 



The trotting gait of Almont is rather wide open behind. Standing in 



