322 SWEATING HORSES. 



on^ he is next to bring his hand to the top of 

 the horse's quarters, that space between the hip 

 and the setting on of the horse's tail, and examine 

 carefully what alteration may have taken place in 

 those parts, as whether the muscles of the pos- 

 terior part of the quarters, which extend from 

 the croop down to the haunches or lower parts 

 of the horse's thighs, are gradually beginning to 

 shew themselves, by the depth of the cavity which 

 divides them, and which is so well marked in all 

 thorough-bred horses, as they are progressively 

 getting into their best form or condition. Those 

 muscles, like almost all others on the surface of 

 the animal's body, should appear distinctly di- 

 vided, with a plump swell or bulk in the belly 

 part of them. 



The method I have here described, of examin- 

 ing or handling horses in training, to ascertain 

 how they are going on in their condition, is an 

 old-fashioned one 1 allow ; yet it is the best with 

 which I am acquainted; and it is one I would 

 strongly recommend grooms strictly to adhere 

 to, while their horses are proceeding with their 

 work, and particularly their sweats. According 

 as the horses become affected by the latter, as in 

 suddenly drawing too fine, or not drawing suf- 



