BUYING A SADDLE-HORSE. 139 



Tail. — Not set on too high, but yet carried gracefully. 



Thigh, or True Thigh. — Reaches from hip-joint to stifle. Should 

 be long to give speed. 



Thrapple, or Throttle (5).— Upper part of throat. 



True Arm (8, 8).— See "Arm." To a careless observer it appears 

 to form part of the shoulder. 



Withers (6). — It is the height of the withers which gives the height 

 of the horse. 



To be a " good judge of a horse" is indeed an accom- 

 plishment as rare as it is desirable ; but while it cannot 

 be taught by word of mouth or pen, yet a few princi- 

 ples may be acquired which will be of great assistance 

 in cultivating the eye. Even if the judgment be never 

 so thoroughly formed as to be a safe guide unaided in 

 purchasing, yet a great deal of pleasure may be derived 

 from noting the comparative excellences of the really 

 fine horses constantly to be seen in this country ; and 

 there is no reason in the world why a lady's opinion on 

 this subject should continue to weigh as little as it has 

 generally done hitherto. A graceful neck and an air of 

 spirit usually win the feminine suffrages, yet often co- 

 exist with a long back, spindle-shanks, and a chest both 

 shallow and narrow. Nevertheless, a good neck is an 

 excellent thing, and so is a small head, especially if it 

 have a wide forehead ; but next look to see if there is 

 also (to use a horsey expression), "a short back and a 

 long belly," a deep chest, a sloping shoulder, and legs 

 broad and long above the knee and hock, but broad and 

 short below. 



