GALLOPING EXKRClSli. 159 



pace as the last-mentioned close-made horse, as 

 they cannot so readily collect themselves in their 

 stride, by quickly bringing their haunches well 

 under them. In noticing the action of a race 

 horse, that may be a speedy good galloper, it 

 will be seen, that, generally speaking, when drawn 

 out pretty well to the top of his pace, he can 

 (without bending his knees too much) put his 

 fore feet well out, and bring his haunches well 

 under him, that is, his hind feet will mostly be 

 seen to come nearly opposite, or quite in a pa- 

 rallel line with the outside of his fore ones. 



The stride of different horses depends on their 

 size, varying from eighteen to twenty, or even to 

 two or three and twenty feet. But how long a 

 horse will be able to continue on this last-men- 

 tioned length of stride, will depend on the 

 weight he is carrying, as also on his formation, 

 structure, and muscular powers ; and, as we have 

 already noticed, he must have a moderate well- 

 proportioned length of body and breadth of loins, 

 together with lengthy, muscular, strong hind 

 quarters and well-formed back. Those unaccus- 

 tomed to observe the stride of different horses, 

 when going at the top of their pace, may not im- 

 mediately see exactly to what extent they bring 



