202 THE horse-kekper's guide. 



uisliing to either side ; the motion sliould be from th(? elbow 

 as well as the knee ; the hind legs gathered well under the 

 ])ody, following with regularity and precision* the toes 

 fairly raised from the ground, and spread pretty accurately 

 in the impress of the fore feet ; if ihey pass beyond, they 

 are likely to over- reach. In the trot, he should go lightly 

 witli the fore feet, but strike the ground energetically with 

 the hind, taking a long darting sti'ide, and shooting, as it 

 were, the body forvi^ard. 



In trotting, the horse that throws his legs confusedly 

 about, should be rejected, for though most young and un- 

 educated horses have an ungraceful and disorderly action^ 

 the sluggard is never precise and uniform in his trot. 



In criticising action, attenticm must be paid to breed, but 

 it should be sufficiently high in a hack, to clear all ordinary 

 irregularities on the ground ; if it is very high, look out for 

 trace of having worn a knee cap. Be careful to observe 

 that he does not occasionally drop; a casual giving way on 

 either leg, in the trot, is a sufficient hint to reject the ani- 

 mal, he will certainly fail when put to work. 



Though the best horses may stumble, if, after tripping, 

 he springs out as if he feared the whip or spur, you may 

 justly suspect him to be an old offender, which will induce 

 you to look to his knees and head. Observe that he goes 

 clear in all his paces, and that one leg does not interfere 

 with the other ; horses that go very near are more likely to 

 cut when tired. 



The carriage of the head and tail are points to which the 

 eye of a good judge will be directed. If the tail goes to 

 and fro when in action, like the pendulum of a clock, it is 

 a good sign of blood and steadiness. 



He should now be mounted, and the trial be repeated 

 on the stones or hard road, or, what is preferable, on a 

 rough and stony declivity ; for there are many cases of 

 slight lameness which do not show on soft ground, at a 

 walking pace, or when the horse is unburdened. If he 

 step away boldly, the toe in a direct line with the body, 

 the knee fairly bent, and his foot up and planted firmly 

 down again on the ground, fearlessly and flat, without any 

 dropping -jf his head, you may conclude him sound in ac- 

 tion. His hind legs, well lifted up and tucked well under 

 him, should follow his fore legs with regularity ; and if in 

 running him up hill he goes without dragging his toe, yoi 



