THE BONES. 37 



the bones, in regard to theii' length and proportion." 

 These observations are very just, and should be kept in 

 mind by every person who undertakes to judge a horse. 

 if such things were properly understood and attended 

 to, the/a^ poi-poise would not carry away the prize so 

 often as he does. 



In looking over the numerous plates of horses which 

 are published, I have frequently been surprised to see 

 the great dissimilarity which exists between the dif- 

 ferent plates of the same animal, when drawn by dif- 

 ferent artists. This is often the case, even although 

 the artists are of the highest standing in their profes- 

 sion. I do not attribute the defect to a want of natu- 

 ral talent on their part ; but I am decidedly disposed 

 to think it is owing either to a defective anatomical 

 and physiological knowledge of the animal, or to a 

 neglect in placing the horse, dm-ing the time he is 

 under observation, in that exact position which throws 

 all the bones and muscles into an harmonious attitude. 

 But even supposing the horse is standing in a proper 

 position, an extra stroke of the pencil on an important 

 bone, muscle, sinew, or joint, would spoil or rectify the 

 whole. It must, therefore, be evident that an accurate 

 and minute anatomical and physiological knowledge is 

 indispensable. It is also important that we should get 

 a side view of the animal. Our position for examina- 

 tion should be a little behind, rather than before, the 

 centre, as the slightest de\dation from this would alter 



