LONG AND SHOKT HOESES. 397 



whereby to determine the head of steam that was to set 

 them in motion. 



PUPIL. I would like to hear your ideas of long and 

 short horses, which has often puzzled me. While the 

 almost universal idea is, that a horse " as long as a rail " 

 is in the best form, I cannot coincide in that view, which 

 is perhaps owing to my limited experience. 



PRECEPTOE. We have had two striking illustrations, that 

 either form is compatible with a very high rate of speed, 

 Flying Childers and English Eclipse. To have length of 

 stride, a horse must have length of body or of hind leg. 

 When length of body results from a wide, sloping shoulder, 

 a long hip and full quarters, with the middle piece well 

 made and strong, I would have no objections to a horse 

 that is "very lengthy." Should it arise from a long back 

 and slack loin, he might do to run a short distance, but 

 would never go far, drag or carry much weight. I am 

 better pleased with a medium length, and when a horse 

 measures as much from the point of the shoulder to the 

 point of buttock, as he does from the ground to the top of 

 his withers, I am satisfied. Should he be one-tenth longer 

 than he is high, with the requisites I have heretofore 

 spoken of, he would still do. These would form the ex- 

 tremes in my judgment, and I would not like a horse to 

 fall on either side of these measurements. It is now time 

 for you to drive the colts. I am anxious to see how they 

 are getting along, as I have been much pleased with their 

 performances heretofore. 



PUPIL. I cannot find fault, as they are all improving ; 

 and I fancy that every time I ask one of them to go fast, 

 he gratifies me by going faster than he has done before. 

 The time has worn away till I will have to hurry them up 

 to be done in time for the evening walk. 



PEECEPTOE. You would be difficult to please if you were 

 not gratified with the promising display your colts make. 



