188 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



then form that angle with the neck which gives a light 

 and pleasant mouth. 



The forehand should be loftier than that of the racer. 

 A turf horse may be forgiven if his hind quarters rise an 

 inch or even two above his fore ones. His principal power 

 is wanted from behind, and the very lowness of the fore- 

 hand may throw more weight in front, and cause the 

 whole machine to be more easily and speedily moved. 

 A lofty forehand, however, is indispensable in the hunter; 

 a shoulder as extensive as in the racer and as oblique, and 

 somewhat thicker. The saddle will then be in its proper 

 place, and will continue so, however long may be the run. 



The barrel should be rounder, in order to give greater 

 room for the heart and lungs to play, and to send more and 

 purer blood to the larger frame of this horse, especially 

 when the run continues unchecked for a time that begins 

 to be distressing. A broad chest is always an excellence in 

 a hunter. In the violent and long-continued exertion of 

 the chase, the respiration is much quickened, and hence 

 more blood is hurried through the lungs in a given time 

 than when the animal is at rest. There must be sufficient 

 room for this, or he will not only be distressed, but possibly 

 destroyed. The majority of the horses that perish in the 

 field are narrow-chested. 



The arm should be as muscular as that of the racer, or 

 even more so, for both strength and endurance are wanted. 



The leg should be deeper than that of the race-horse — 

 broader as we stand at the side of the horse — and especi- 

 ally beneath the knee. In proportion to the distance of 

 the tendon from the cannon or the shank-bone, and more 

 particularly a little below the knee, is the mechanical 

 advantage with which it acts. 



The leg should be shorter. Higher action is required 

 than in the racer, in order that the legs may be clearly and 

 safely lifted over many an obstacle, and particularly that 

 they may be well doubled up in the leap. 



The pastern should be shorter and less slanting, yet 

 retaining considerable obliquity. The long pastern is use- 

 ful, by the yielding resistance which its elasticity affords to 

 break the concussion with which the race-horse from his 

 immense stride and speed must come on the ground ; and 

 the oblique direction of the different bones beautifully con- 

 tributes to effect the same purpose. With this elasticity 



