166 CONFESSIONS OF A. HOBSE DEALER. 



at that place, provided they are not too thick at the 

 points or lower ends, while inclining their tops well 

 back and leaving a good space between the end of the 

 mane and the pommel of the saddle. There is a certain 

 cross bone which connects the lower end of the shoulder 

 blades with the horse's fore-legs which very materially 

 affects his action. When this is too long it throws the 

 fore-legs too much back, causing the horse to stand 

 over like a cart horse ; and such an animal, besides 

 being unpleasant to ride, when at all tired, is very 

 likely to come down. I am here stating what is well 

 known to good judges, but I write for the many. 



I would also observe that the form of shoulders I 

 here recommend only contribute to good action, they 

 alone do not secure it. Good hind-leg action is quite as 

 important as good action in the fore-legs. The hock- 

 joints should bend well, when in action, bringing the 

 hind-feet well forward, but without striking the fore- 

 feet, commonly called over-reaching. It is a common 

 practice to pay little attention to the action of the hind- 

 legs, so long as the horse possesses what is termed ** fine 

 knee-up action ;" but all superior horses, of whatever 

 breed, are eminently characterised by good hind-leg 

 action; for be the shoulders ever so good, unless the 

 action of the hind-leg is also good, the horse is uneasy 

 to ride, because the action of the two sets of legs are 

 not properly balanced, and, no matter how accomplished 

 the rider may be, it is with difficulty he can accommo- 

 date his seat to the action of such a horse. Such a 



