142 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



strength, and beauty too, are sometimes happened upon 

 in the most unlikely places. Indeed, in many an un- 

 graceful form there is stored up an amount of vital en- 

 ergy which explains the saying that one can find " good 

 horses of all shapes." Nevertheless, the presumption is 

 always in favor of the well-shaped animal, and the ac- 

 knowledged type of equine beauty is the English thor- 

 ough-bred. This is of pure Arab blood, but so improved 

 by many generations of careful breeding and training 

 that it now excels not only all other European and Ori- 

 ental races but the modern Arab himself, that is consid- 

 ered to be, weight for weight, twenty - live per cent, 

 stronger than other breeds. One invariable mark of 

 Arab blood, by-the-bye, is a high and graceful carriage of 

 the tail. The eye should be kind and quiet, that of an 

 Arab very gentle, even sleep} 7 , when at rest, but full of 

 fire and animation when in motion. 



" The relative proportions of and exact shape desira- 

 ble in each of the points described varies considerably 

 in the several breeds. Thus, when speed and activity 

 are essential, an oblique shoulder-blade is a sine qua non, 

 while for heavy harness it can hardly be too upright. 

 There are some elements, however, which are wanted in 

 any horse, such as big hocks and knees, flat legs ivith large 

 sinews, open jaws (that is, with the lower jaw-bones wide 

 apart), and full nostrils." 



It is well, after taking a general look at a horse and 

 getting an impression of him as a whole, to divide him 



