HIGH STEPPERS. 63 



"Devil," a black horse o^Tied by Mr. Stokes, tv ell- 

 known to most horsemen in New-York. He is far away 

 the best all round going horse iii New York, and I be- 

 lieve can trot close to three minutes. I have seen horses 

 that go higher in front, but when urged to their utmost, 

 could only go eight or ten miles an hour, because they did 

 not have the necessary amount of action with the hind 

 legs. 



There is a diversity of opinion as to what constitutes 

 pretty action, and each man may harmlessly indulge 

 his taste in this particular, but there should be but one 

 opinion as to what is proper action. Some horses step 

 short when going and bend the knee under the body, 

 doubling the legs up in a circular style, and bring them 

 down heavily, bringing the weight of the shoulders 

 with them; these are called "Pounders," and soon lose 

 their action, besides getting sore and fever-footed. 

 These kind rarely step true, either dishing a little out- 

 ward or inward, in some cases causing them to interfere. 

 By weighting and pro]>er shoeing these faults can some- 

 times be rectified. 



The true-actioned horse steps from the shoulder, bends 

 the knee in front, and steps out gracefully, bringing 

 them down light and easy. It is but natural for a horse 

 of proper conformation to do so, and so long as he is 

 kept in high condition, does not get too much work, but 



