78 SADDLE HORSE. 



placed, and naturally or artificially elegant, which adds 

 much to his figure and gay appearance ; his thighs long, 

 from the hip to the haunch-hone large and bulging with 

 muscles; his hocks broad, sinewy, bony, and clear of 

 puffs; his hind-legs from the hocks short, bending a little 

 rather than straight, flat and sinewy; his pasterns of 

 moderate length, small and bony ; his hoofs cupped ;* 

 small, round and smooth ; his hind-parts not tucked, but 

 of easy turn and graceful slope ; when mounted his ap- 

 pearance should be bold, lofty, majestic ; his eyes shining 

 with intrepidity and fire; his movements light and airy as 

 a phantom, with a fairy step that would scarcely break a 

 dew-drop ; his action smooth and graceful ; his color 

 should suit the taste of the purchaser, though a mahogany 

 bay is certainly the best color ; his marks large, of irreg- 

 ular white, to light up the countenance, and at least two 

 white legs, which will add much to his beauty, though it 

 must be acknowledged that all parts of a horse that are 

 white, are much more tender than any other color. 



When a horse is ridden by any person for you to judge of 

 his gaits, you should have him moved towards you, from 

 you, and finally by you, as you may have the opportunity 

 of discovering if there is any turning in and out about his 

 knees and ankles, before or behind, which is very objec- 

 tionable. A well shaped horse will track as true (or his 

 legs will follow each other in as direct a line) as the wheels 

 of a well constructed carriage. For him to be considered a 

 good riding horse, he should move with ease to himself, and 

 pass over the ground with great rapidity. Hard steps, 

 short going, and great apparent labor, are offensive to the 

 sight, unpleasant to the rider, and fatiguing to the horse 

 himself. 



* I think that the hoof only requires to be very slightly cupped. Ed. 



