14 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES 



proper quality there, the skin seems to melt from under the 

 hand letting the latter come in close contact with the bone 

 which feels firm and smooth. The fingers seem to touch 

 each other as they pass between the tendon and the bone of 

 the leg, when the latter has the right degree of quality. 

 It is a fact that in finely bred horses that undergo unusual 

 trials of endurance, such as the thoroughbred and the 

 trotter, the texture of the bone is decidedly firmer and 

 closer than that of horses bred for slower work. Another 

 evidence of quality is to be seen in the lines showing the 

 division of the muscles as these should appear distinct in 

 the horse of quality and the joints of the limbs should not 

 show any fullness but be clearly defined and hard. 



16. Action Why Highly Valued. In the market for 

 light horses there is no single feature held in higher estima- 

 tion than that of desirable action. It has different degrees 

 of valuation when associated with the various types of 

 horses, but to sell well they all must have as much as may 

 be displayed and used to advantage. The fact that proper 

 action associated with the coach type brings exceptional 

 prices in the market, would of itself make the subject an 

 important study, but when its influence on the prices of 

 all classes of horses is considered, it at once assumes the 

 position of being the most valuable characteristic connected 

 with the classes of light horses. 



Good action is mainly desirable for its utility and also 

 for the many other qualities which it indicates. It will 

 readily be expected that the horse with good action is more 

 durable and more enjoyable, as the work is done easier, and 

 also more profitable, for more of it is accomplished. But 

 looking further into the subject it is surprising what other 

 attributes are dependent on it. The action of a horse re- 

 flects its temperament, proves the balance of its conforma- 

 tion and indicates soundness. With right action there must 

 be a dash and zest which is the outflow of a sanguine tem- 

 perament making light of the hardest effort. Then the con- 



