140 THE COACH-HORSE. 



means, perfect ; and were a judge to examine mi- 

 nutely the points of vast numbers of those liand- 

 some horses seen in the carriages in London, or 

 other large towns, he would find them very defi- 

 cient in several points, essential to any purpose but 

 harness, in shoulders and hinder-legs especially. 

 But it is fortunate for breeders of horses, that it 

 does not require true symmetry and action to form 

 a grand coach-horse. His false points are, for the 

 most part, concealed by his trappings, and his high 

 state of flesh and condition ; and if he be any thing 

 near the following form, he will make an excellent 

 appearance in harness. His head is not so mate- 

 rial, as the bridle covers so much of it ; but his 

 neck should rise well out of his shoulders, as the 

 higher he carries his head the better, provided the 

 form of his neck admits of its beino- drawn inward 

 by the bearing rein, when only moderately tight, 

 in which case he will be easily acted upon by the 

 driving rein. The back of the coach-horse is a 

 material point, as, without an easy slope behind 

 the withers, his fore-hand will not appear grand, 

 nor will the pad of his harness sit well upon him. 

 His hinder quarters should be straight and blood- 

 like ; his gaskins well spread ; and his tail should 

 be set on, high. His action should not be too short 

 for town-work, but the knee should be thrown well 

 up in the trot, to give him a grand appearance. 

 This peculiar action, the result of strong flexor ten- 

 dons, suited nearly to this purpose only, is observ- 

 able in colthood, but is increased afterwards by the 

 horse being thrown more upon his haunches by the 



