14 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES 



quality there, the skin seems to melt from under the hand 

 letting the latter come in close contact with the bone which 

 feels firm and smooth. The fingers seem to touch each other 

 as they pass between the tendon and the bone of the leg, 

 when the latter has the right degree of quality. It is a fact 

 that in finely bred horses that undergo unusual trials of 

 endurance, such as the thoroughbred and the trotter, the 

 texture of the bone is decidedly firmer and closer than that 

 of horses bred for slower work. Another evidence of quality 

 is to be seen in the lines showing the division of the muscles 

 as these should appear distinct in the horse of quality and 

 the joints of the limbs Should not show any fullness but be 

 clearly defined and hard. 



16. Action — Why Highly Valued. In the market for 

 light horses there is no single feature held in higher estima- 

 tion than that of desirable action. It has different degrees 

 of valuation when associated with the various types of horses, 

 but to sell well they all must have as much as may be dis- 

 played and used to advantage. The fact that proper action 

 associated with the coach type brings exceptional prices in 

 the market, would of itself make the subject an important 

 study but when its influence on the prices of all classes of 

 horses is considered, it at once assumes the position of being 

 the most valuable characteristic connected with the classes 

 of I'-'^ht horses. 



Good action is mainly desirable for its utility and akso for 

 the many other qualities which it indicates. It will readily 

 be expected that the horse with good action is more durable 

 and more enjoyable, as the work is done easier, and also 

 more profitable, for more of it is accomplished. But looking 

 further into the subject it is surprising what other attributes 

 are dependent on it. The action of a horse reflects its tem- 

 perament, proves the balance of its conformation and indi- 

 cates soundness. With right action there must be a dash 

 and zest which is the outflow of a sanguine temperament 



