t6 The CompleatHorfeman : or, 



before a Horfe's Eyes, to know if he have a good 

 Sight. 



Moft Horfes which thus overpafs, if they do it 

 considerably, fwing their Croup from one fide to 

 t'other and rock, which is contrary to what we 

 required in a good Walk. Befides fuch Horfes com- 

 monly Forge •, that is, with the Shoes of their Hind- 

 feet they overtake thofe of their Fore, and fo pull 

 them off upon the Road} neither have they any 

 Reins or Mettle. 1 don't deny but fuch a Horfe 

 may walk fwiftly, but he will rarely have good 

 Reins ; neither can he go eafily, becaufe he hath 

 not a quick, but long and ftretched Step all upon 

 his Shoulders, which will make him more fubjecl: 

 to Humbling, becaufe he is not fupported by his 

 Reins. 



This Obfervation of a Horfe's overpaffing with 

 his Hind-foot the Tread of his Fore, is as good a Re- 

 mark for his Ambling well, as it is bad for his Walk- 

 ing well : For it is certain a Horfe can never amble 

 upon his Haunches, nor go well, if he do not with 

 his Hind- feet overpafs the Treads of hisFore,at leaft 

 a Foot, or a Foot and a half; and the more he over- 

 pafles, the better will he amble. 



There are fome Horfes, who although they have 

 too long Haunches, yet commonly walk well. Such 

 Horfes are good to climb up Hills ; but to ballance 

 that, they are no ways fure upon a defcent } for 

 they cannot ply their Hammes, and they never gal- 

 lop (lowly, but almoft at full fpeed. 



The Haunches are too long, if when the Horfe hi 

 Handing in the Stable, he camps with his Hind-feet \ 

 farther back than he ought, and that the top or on-i 

 fet of his Tail doth not anfwer in a perpendicular] 

 Line with the tip of his Hocks, as it always does in 

 Jiorfes whofe Haunches are of a jufl; length. 



C H A P-i 



