26 THE HORSE 



the two conformations, going too wide, or going 

 too close or brushing, the animal which does the 

 latter is the fastest. Some very fast horses go 

 wide behind, but the peculiarity is unsightly. 



One of the best tests of soundness, action, and 

 conformation is to have the horse trotted down a 

 fauiy steep hill. By his manner of going a fau' 

 estimate of his value can at once be made. 



Geneeal Appeaeaxce 

 A horse may have every desu^able point of con- 

 formation and yet be an extremely ugly animal. 

 "When looking at horses, the pm'chaser should en- 

 deavor to find one w^hich has no bad points, and if 

 he can find it he may buy it knowing that it will 

 be useful, and likely to last him for years, how- 

 ever ugh^ it may be. Of course, good looks in 

 addition are desu^able, but they have to be paid 

 for at a rate far in excess of theii' practical 

 value. Therefore the average individual will be 

 fortunate if he is strong enough not to succumb 

 to the temptation of buying an animal with some 

 good or taking points in exaggerated degree, and 

 also some bad ones, and confines his attention to 

 searching for a horse which Is absolutely free 

 from any which the most critical judge could des- 



