FORMATION OF THE STEEPLECHASE HORSE. 73 



just two weeks over double the time required for train- 

 ing the horse that has previously been raced, to get the 

 hunter, hack, or untried colt fit to run ; and the whole 

 reason is, that the amount of galloping practice required 

 for giving them action and supporting their muscles 

 and joints will be more than double that of a previously 

 trained animal, since you have nothing to teach the 

 latter, and only have to arrive at a certain condition 

 of body to fit him for his contest. 



THE STEEPLECHASE HORSE. 



As to conformation I have little more to demand 

 than that stated as being desirable for a racehorse, with 

 the following few exceptions : 



1. The withers should be higher and the shoulders 

 longer. 



2. The girth should be deeper, and the back or false 

 ribs shorter and lighter. 



3. The hips should be wider, and the pelvis broader. 

 The reasons are these : unless the withers be high 



and shoulders long, there will not be sufficient leverage 

 to enable him to rise well at his fences ; as well as to 

 clear whatever obstacles may come across him when 

 galloping, in the shape of ridge and furrows, drains, 

 hillocks, &c. ; and unless the hips and pelvis be broad, 

 together with light back ribs and a loose flank, the 

 haunches cannot be dashed under the body in the form 

 required for a big jumper. 



The only parts, then, in which I consider the steeple- 

 chase horse should differ from the racehorse, are the 



