834 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



present time to all carriages of luxury, in pairs or single, according to 

 circumstances. 



With respect to height and bulk, they are again subdivided into 

 large coach-horses and sinall coach-horses. 



I. Large Coach-Horses. 



Mode of Utilization. — The large coach-horses are nearly always 

 driven in pairs, two or four at a time, to large carriages of luxury of 

 various kinds. 



Height. — The average height of these horses varies from 1.63 

 metres to 1.70 metres; exceptionally, some of 1.78 and even 1.80 

 metres are found. 



Preferred Coats. — The coat, in this category, has an importance 

 which must not be neglected. The ordinary bay, the brown bay, and 

 the burnt or golden sorrel are the colors most highly prized. 



In certain cases two subjects of different coats are harnessed 

 together : a brown bay and a beautiful dappled gray or a white horse, 

 for examjile. This variegaiion is, however, no longer fashionable ; it 

 attracts the eye and has a pretentious appearance, and at the present 

 time, at least, is not often seen among the aristocracy. 



Formerly, two dark horses, alternating with two light ones, were 

 driven in pairs to a mail-coach or a Daumont carriage. They are then 

 disposed like a checker-board, according to the common expression : a 

 dark and a light at the pole, and a light and a dark in front. The 

 result is that coats of the same color are placed diagonally. This is, be 

 it understood, a purely fantastic or capricious blending of shades. 



The black coats are but little esteemed ; they are only made use of 

 as evidences of mourning. In such cases, the carriage and harness, as 

 well as the dress of the coachman and footman, are black. Unless the 

 owner be in mourning, a black team is no longer fashionable. Hence 

 a black coat should be, to the buyer who is above questions of fashion, 

 a forcible pretext for depreciation. 



Conformation. — The large coach-horse, being the horse of dis- 

 play par excellence, should have a perfect conformation and gaits as 

 brilliant as possible. His intrinsic value is of secondary importance, 

 for he has always enough endurance to perform the service required 

 of hira, which is not laborious. The horse thus chosen should have 

 a square head, rather light, neat, and expressive ; a long, supple, and 

 well-attached neck ; beautiful withers ; oblique and muscular shoul- 

 ders ; a good dorso-lumbar line ; a horizontal croup with a tail well 

 attached and well carried ; a round and descending rib ; a full and 



