THE HOUSEMAN. 9 



difficult to adjust the saddle properly ; for, as his head is 

 carried too low, it is thrown upon the withers. His hind 

 legs are too much under him, and he frequently over- 

 reaches himself. 



The loins should be full, broad and muscular. The 

 strength of the back and the action of the hinder 



o 



extremities depend much upon this point. 



A horseman never fails to Select a horse that is " wide 

 across the kidneys." 



When the horse is somewhat drooped in the croup 

 and wide in the quarter, he is termed ragged- hipped. 

 This materially diminishes his beauty, but indicates great 

 powers from the angular position of the bones. 



It is important that the stifle muscles show full when 

 standing behind the horse. As this is a point in beauty, 

 horses of this description are much sought after for their 

 fine appearance in harness. 



The tibia, or leg bone, should be long, and the mus- 

 cles covering it prominent and bulging, not tapering. 



The hock should be deep in proportion to the length 

 and breadth of muscles in the quarter. The cannon 

 should be short and flat. 



The pasterns of the hackney and traveller should be 

 short and somewhat slanting, yet far less so than those 

 of the racer and hunter. 



The oblique or slanting pastern is essential to pleasant 

 action, as there is less concussion. 



The foot should be in proportion to the bulk of the 

 horse open at the heel and high. 



