164 MODERN FAllRIER. 



91. The Road-Jiorse. 



A good English saddle or road-horse is one of the 

 most useful animals in Europe, though the breed 

 has been lamentably neglected. Farmers are more 

 inclined to breed hunters than hackneys, on account 

 of their obtaining a higher price for the produce. 

 They tlierefore put their mares to some thorough- 

 bred ill-formed stallion, which possesses no recom- 

 mendation but a pedigree, and perhaps the winning 

 of some sweepstakes. ' Many of these,' observes 

 Mr. R. I^awrence, ' are very badly formed in their 

 legs, and shew evident signs of bad action by the 

 scars on their fetlock joints, occasioned by striking 

 one leg against another.' 



Tlie comparative low price given for good road- 

 horses has, no doubt, contributed to discourage im- 

 provement in this invaluable breed. It, however, 

 is an object of great national importance, as it affects 

 both internal intercourse and external defence. The 

 under-sized weak horses that are admitted into our 

 regiments of light dragoons rendered them unable, 

 at the battle of Waterloo, to withstand the charge 

 of the French cavalry. 



Road-horses are best produced by a half-bred stal- 

 lion, rather tall, with a comely and outswelling fore- 

 head. His eye should be bright and sparkling, his 

 neck well turned, and issuing high out of his breast, 

 wdth deep shoulders, broad breast, long muscular 

 arm, and short shank. His back should be short 

 and ribbed home, his girth large, and his belly 

 round. His hind quarters should be bold and mus- 

 cular, and not too long in the thigh and leg. He 

 should go light, and his knee should be well elevated 

 and advanced during the trot. The progeny of such 

 a horse must be excellently adapted either for the 

 road, the saddle, or the purposes of war. 



