242 The Book of the Horse. 



that match perfectly in size, character, pace, action, and style of going, will be worth four 

 hundred and five hundred together that may not be worth more than half that sum separately." 



A match in colour is excellent, but if you delight in steppers you must never hesitate to 

 purchase a match in all other respects, of whatever colour. There are certain colours that 

 go very well together by contrast, as chestnut and well-mottled grey, a skewbald or piebald 

 and a chestnut or a grey ; but even where the colours do not harmonise there is always the 

 chance of matching one of the two. You must also make up your mind to the size you mean to 

 drive, because the carriage must fit the horses and the horses the carriage for Park purposes ; 

 15 hands 2 inches in a phaeton meant for 14 hands 2 or 3 inches looks as much out of 

 character as a tall man in a little man's clothes. In this class of equipage everything must 

 be in keeping, everything the best of its kind, as far as they can be bought for money. If the 

 owner cannot drive well he must learn, if he would not look ridiculous. The grooms must be 

 neat, active, not too big, and know their business. In a word, the phaeton with a stepping 

 pair cannot be done economically ; expense must not stop the owner from obtaining the best 

 of everything. He invites attention and criticism by his horses' action, and is bound to present 

 something complete and perfect, " as far as money will supply it." 



At the present day there are two popular styles of phaeton hors°s. Either may be selected, 

 but whichever is chosen should be adhered to in the whole stud. They may be light and blood- 

 like, or cobby, but they must have symmetry and character. Two pairs are the least with 

 which a man can appear daily behind steppers. 



One all-important point remains to be noticed as regard Park steppers. Having purchased 

 them you must not use them, you must only show them. There is an old story which per- 

 fectly applies to this case. An English lady went to a celebrated Paris artist for a pair of 

 shoes. In a few days she called, and complained that one shoe had split. The cordonnier 

 looked at the triumph of his skill with an injured air, and exclaimed, " Why, madame has 

 been walking ! " So you may drive your steppers generally very slowly, and a little fast if 

 they shine in a fast trot, for two hours or so every day ; but if you want to drive to Brighton, 

 or even to go ten miles out of town and back, you must fall back on a useful pair or hire 

 post-horses. 



There are exceptions, but as a rule, brilliant knee-action is ornamental, and to be ^used, 

 guarded, and preserved like any other costly ornament. 



COACH, CHARIOT, AND BAROUCHE HORSES. 



For no class of horses is there a more regular and increasing demand than for large, 

 sufficiently well-bred animals, not under 15 hands 3 inches, averaging full 16 hands, exclusively 

 required as harness pairs for heavy and expensive carriages, like coaches, chariots, barouches, 

 and landaus, which are chiefly used in great cities like London and Paris One of the coloured 

 illustrations of this book is a portrait, painted by special permission, of a state carriage- 

 horse the property of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, fully 17 hands high, with 

 superb action.* 



During the last twenty years a steady change has taken place in the direction of using 

 smaller and lighter horses for all country and many town carriages. Full-sized harness pairs 

 are valuable in proportion as they combine with size and power the stj-le of beaut)' antl of 



* A hur'ic like this is worth from 400 to 500 guineas ; but they are so scarce that uo money would buy a team without 

 sonie montlis of search. 



