10 FORMATION OF 



limbs like darts from the shoulder points, and how the 

 elasticity of the tendons bears the concussion harm- 

 lessly. Then look at a bad legged one. Here he 

 comes stumping along, keeping his action as if in 

 bonds, and evidently chary of letting his limbs get too 

 far ahead of him. And why ? Because he feels his 

 weakness, that the muscles and tendons are unable to 

 perform their duties as they should. Never shall I 

 forget gazing at Saunterer's sweeping, straight, and 

 grand action, as he cantered down previous to running 

 third in the Cambridgeshire under the unprecedented 

 impost of 8st. 12lb. Where, I thought, can such 

 wonderful powers lay ? At a distance, and looking at 

 the whole animal, he seemed somewhat mean ; so I 

 waited patiently until he appeared on the Suffolk side 

 of the Cambridge Road, and right well was my patience 

 rewarded and my curiosity gratified. Where does it 

 lie ? that was the question. After scanning him from 

 head to foot, from shoulder to tail, the result was this 

 question, Where does it not lie ? It is true that he 

 was not big anywhere, but so truly balanced was his 

 whole frame, that it looked like working at any rapidity 

 and for any length of time ! 



I was satisfied and went my way, still worshipping 

 6 formation ' as something real after all, and with in- 

 creased devotedness. 



I have somewhat wandered from the dry formation 

 details, though I think every one likely to be a reader 

 of such very practical sentences must have justly 

 settled what the true formation of a racehorse's fore leg 



