JUDGING THE HORSE. 121 



Before coming to a final decision, it is unquestionably 

 necessary to put tlie horse into motion. He is not to 

 be examined merely as a bullock in Smithfield; he 

 must be walked, trotted, or galloped, as the case may 

 require. If we have made any mistake in regard to 

 his constitution and form, we will be materially assisted 

 in rectifying om* error by seeing him in motion ; be- 

 sides, independently of his natural action, we will then 

 have a good opportunity of judging of his soundness. 

 During the time he is under inspection, he ought to be 

 allowed to go along quietly, vdth a free head and a 

 loose rein. He will then show those defects which are 

 so frequently hid by the whip, hand, and spur of the 

 experienced jockey. 



I have often been sm-prised to see that the horse 

 which is good in some parts, and defective in others, 

 will please the public much better than the one which 

 is well formed and properly proportioned throughout. 

 It reqidi'cs accurate judgment and close inspection to 

 form a correct estimate of the perfect horse. He is 

 so evenly balanced, and so accm-ately put together, that 

 he does not present any special point to catch the eye ; 

 but the one which is great in some points, and bad in 

 others, will be sm-e to aiTest the attention of the casual 

 observer. The good parts appear so remarkably fine, 

 in contrast with the bad ones, that they cannot be 

 overlooked ; in short, they frequently bHnd^a person to 

 the animal's defects. This, however, does not happen 



