FORMATION. 5 



I am especially fond of strong, muscular backs, loins, 

 and quarters, added to great length and compactness, 

 combined with well-moulded and short limbs. But, in 

 my opinion, to pick out certain points in a racehorse 

 and uphold them as outweighing all others, because 

 such and such horses may have run very successfully 

 with only this or that good point to recommend them, 

 is the height of ignorance, and shows an utter want of 

 careful consideration as to what constitutes the f rule ' 

 and what the ' exception.' Unless this be determined, 

 all discussion on the subject will be fruitless. 



That certain forms do run the best I am confident, 

 in spite of the hackneyed theory that ( horses run in 

 all forms.' But I do not deny this ; though I fearlessly 

 assert that in proper forms horses run most successfully, 

 which is surely the point at issue. 



THE HEAD. 



To begin with the head, I prefer a clean, blood-like 

 head, but do not care what the size is so long as it 

 is not out of proportion to the general frame ; though I 

 must confess to a decided objection to the small Arab 

 head, which is generally indicative of more cunning 

 and temper than is desirable. 



Large, long ears I have long esteemed as a sign of 

 gameness, and appreciate them accordingly. 



THE NECK. 



To the formation of the neck I am inclined, from ex- 

 perience and comparisons, to attach the greatest im- 



