150 THE CxiG-HORSE. 



paid) have been no unconniion prices given for gig 

 and cabriolet horses ; and for gentlemen's work 

 generally Ave might put sixty as the average of the 

 last forty years. 



The choice of a gig-horse (for we confine our- 

 selves to that term) must be regulated by local 

 circumstances. If for London streets, his action 

 should be rather lofty or '• grand,'' as the term is, 

 than fast ; that is to say, he should step with his 

 knee much elevated, which of course is unfavourable 

 to speed. His appearance also should be of the 

 iirst order of his species, not under fifteen hands 

 two inches in height ; and if of a fancy colour, the 

 more money will he fetch in the market. He must 

 be well bitted, carrying his head high, and very 

 quick in getting into his trot, or " upon his legs," 

 as coachmen say, to enable his driver to make his 

 way in crowded streets. We should also add, that 

 this quickness in his motions should be accompanied 

 by perfectly "ood temper, and freedom from all 

 vice ; in which case he is always worth one hundred 

 ijuineas, or more, if in the prime of life and sound. 



For the country a difterent sort of gig-horse is 

 required. In drawing a gig on a soft o>r newly- 

 gravelled road, the resistance is mueh the same as 

 a continual hill ; and therefore a horse with a 

 quick, short step, is best calculated for the road, 

 as such action fatigues less than that which we 

 have recommended for London. For all purposes, 

 however, a horse in single harness, to be safe, should 

 be well up before ; that is to say, he should go with 

 his fore-quarters high up, and not heavy in hand 



