534 THE HORSE. 



the smaller size have proved themselves the most trustwor- 

 thy and valuable. He is somewhat light in the body ; and 

 the limbs, with relation to the trunk, are somewhat longer 

 than in the horses suited for the endurance of fatigue, or the 

 exertion of physical force, as the Hunter, the Hackney, the 

 Cart-Horse ; in which respects the Race-Horse approaches 

 nearer to the African than the Asiatic type. The chest is 

 deep, but narrow a conformation suited to the exertion of 

 speed. The shoulder is finely formed, and oblique, but gene- 

 rally more low than consists with the safe and powerful 

 action of the fore extremities. The back is somewhat long, 

 and the distance between the last rib and the pelvis greater 

 than in the hunter, in which strength and the power of en- 

 durance are more regarded. The croup is long, the breadth 

 and length of the hind-quarters are large, and the muscles are 

 well developed. In these latter points, connected in the first 

 degree with the power of progression, the Race-Horse sur- 

 passes all other known breeds. The head is fine and mode- 

 rately small, the forehead broad ; the eyes are large and 

 brilliant, the ears delicate, the lips thin, the nostrils wide, 

 the subcutaneous veins apparent. The neck is somewhat 

 long, straight, and thin, and the windpipe appears distinct. 

 The limbs are muscular to the knee and hockj and below 

 these joints, tendonous, thin, and flat. The pasterns are 

 long and oblique, and the hoof is well formed. The whole 

 conformation of the animal indicates lightness, activity, 

 and the power of rapid motion. To these properties, in- 

 deed, others have been sacrificed, indicative of strength, 

 safe action, and the power of endurance. A painter or a 

 sculptor, were he to choose the model of a beautiful horse, 

 would not select the thoroughbred Horse : he would prefer 

 the Turk, with his nobler carriage, or the Hunter, with his 

 broader chest, his shorter back, his more elevated crest and 

 withers ; but knowing the uses to which the Race-Horse is 

 destined, we are reconciled to the peculiarities of his form, 

 and even associate them with ideas of beauty and harmony 



