RA CE-HORSES. 825 



or power of the eifort to be made. Afterwards will follow, as a 

 secondary although very important consideration, the examination of 

 his conformation, his breeding, his gaits, his origin, and his perform- 

 ances, if there be any, his dressing, his training, his coat, etc. Under 

 these different aspects we will briefly investigate each service. The 

 information given concerning prices is not absolute, in this sense, that 

 they are subject to variation according to circumstances, but they are 

 drawn from a good source and represent with sufficient accuracy the 

 actual value of the horses in the place under consideration. 



CHAPTER I. 



RACE-HORSES. 



It is not our intention to give an opinion here upon the utility 

 and value of raees, tests by the aid of which it is sought to ascer- 

 tain the qualities of speed and endurance of a certain number of sub- 

 jects which are designed for breeding purposes, in order to ameliorate 

 the equine species. We simply wish to recall that animals which 

 undergo these trials may acquire considerable value on account of the 

 possibilities hoped for in them either as reproducers or as machines 

 destined to win prizes. 



Thus considered, these animals constitute a category with well- 

 determined limits, concerning which we should say a few words. 



We will divide race-horses, according to their specialization, into 

 running-horses, steeple-chasers, and trotting-horses. 



A.— Running-Horse. 



Mode of Utilization. — As his name indicates, the running-horse 

 is always ridden upon the race-course at a fast gallop, — that is to say, 

 upon chosen ground, almost flat, and never presenting obstacles to be 

 leaped over. The jockey who mounts him uses every eifort to make 

 him travel over the ground with the greatest speed possible. 



Height. — His height varies from 1.55 metres to 1.65 metres, but 

 the highest is sought for, since it places the animal in the best conditions 

 to take long strides. 



Conformation. — We have indicated on page 406 the principal 

 features of this conformation. The running-horse (Fig. 333) should 



