The Sport of Our Jincestors 



is about the mark.^ The average period of each horse's 

 service does not exceed four years in a fast coach ; perhaps 

 scarcely so much, although still equal to more moderate 

 work. In a slow one we may allow seven ; but in both 

 cases we are alluding to horses put to work at ^\t or six 

 years old.^ Considerable judgment is necessary to the 

 selection of horses for fast work in harness ; for if they 

 have not action which will command the pace they are timed 

 at, they soon destroy themselves. For a wheel-horse, he 

 should have sound fore-legs, or he cannot be depended upon 

 down hill. Good hind-legs and well-spread gaskins are also 

 essential points in a coach-horse ; the weight or force 

 applied proceeding from the fulcrum formed by the hinder 

 feet. The price we have named as the average one for such 

 animals may appear a very low one ; but we must remember 

 that to be a hunter or a good roadster, a horse must have 

 length of shoulder, length of frame, peculiarly placed hinder- 

 legs, and a well-bitted mouth : whereas, without any of 

 these qualities he may make an excellent coach-horse ; and 

 hence the value of the coach-market to our breeders. 

 Blemished horses also find their way into coaches, as do 

 those whose tempers are bad ; neither is a blind horse, with 

 good courage, altogether objectionable, now the roads are 

 so level .^ The following description of a road coach-horse, 



^ Of course we speak of prime cost, for coach-horses increase in value as 

 they acquire condition, and are found to be equal to their work. 



2 There are at this time leaders on the Dover road, which have run together 

 over the same stage upwards of twelve years ! 



3 Thirty years back blind horses were numerous in stage-coaches ; in 



206 



