BUYING A HORSE 43 



croup, however, from the summit of the rump, denotes 

 the blood-like quarter, and adds much grace to this part 

 in the thoroughbred horse. Should this line, however, 

 decline very much, the quarters lose much of their beauty 

 as well as their natural power. Nothing is so ugly in 

 a full-quartered horse as to see the tail set on low down, 

 and issuing abruptly from the rump. The old-fashioned 

 dealers figged all horses indiscriminately, which was 

 injudicious ; for those who naturally carried a good tail 

 came under the same suspicion as those who were "gingered" 

 for the dealer's purpose. Hackneys were often called 

 "cock-tails" from this circumstance, in contradistinction 

 to those of the thoroughbred, who never carry any but 

 a drooping tail. A cocked-tail would be incompatible 

 with a blood-quarter, yet in a generation, some of whom 

 yet survive, the detestable practice of " nicking," and 

 even "rat-tailing," hunters of good blood, though not 

 stainless, prevailed, so potent is fashion over common 

 sense and humanity. 



Diseases and Unsoundness. — Satisfied with the tail in 

 the strawed or tan-ride, he should next be mounted, 

 and the trial be repeated on the pavement or road ; for 

 there are many cases of defect which do not show on soft 

 ground, at a walking pace, or when the horse is un- 

 burdened. If he step away boldly, the toe in a direct 

 line with the body, the knee fairly bent, and his foot 

 up and planted firmly down again on the ground 

 fearlessly and flat, without any dropping of his head, 

 you may conclude him sound in action. His hind legs, 

 well lifted up and well tucked under him, should follow 

 his fore legs with regularity ; and if in running him 

 up hill he goes without dragging his toe, you may infer the 

 same behind. In the gallop, if he takes up his legs quick 

 and dashes in his haunches, not bringing his hind legs after 

 him, his action is good. During this display of action, the 

 examinant will have an opportunity of judging of the 

 goodness of his wind ; if he does not ride the animal him- 

 self, he should stand close to the horse at the moment he 

 comes into the gallop. The thick- winded horse breathes with 

 difiiculty, and is soon distressed. The flanks heave much 

 and rapidly, there is some little noise, but the laborious 

 heaving of the flank is the principal indication. A horse 

 unused to exercise, or if fat, or exercised on a full stomach, 



