THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 167 



the West. Every respectable farmer should have at least one well 

 trained saddle horse to sell when called for. Twelve months training 

 will put them in form. For good wear-and-tear, compact, able as a 

 good leaper, of fine form, and undoubted bottom for any distance, the 

 illustration, page 165, will give an idea of what such a saddle horse 

 should be. 



VII. The High-bred Hunting Horse. 



When a long stride, great leaping powers, and ability to go long 

 distances at high speed is required, the horse should be not less than 

 one-half to three-quarters bred. A greater proportion even is favored in 

 the South, where the passion for hunting is only second to that in 

 England. The illustration of a horse of extra good action as given on 

 page 166, will be seen to combine size, indicating capacity for carrying 

 great weight ; high breeding, as shown in the crest ani head ; wonderful 

 lungs ; great length of hip and limbs, and being near perfection as possi" 

 ble ; a high caste horse that will not fail his rider in time of need. 



VIII. Racing Horses. 



There is one more class of saddle horses woitny of special notice : the 

 thorough-bred racing horse, the foundation upon which has been built all 

 that is valuable in every horse where speed, bottom, elegance, and great 

 bone, sinew and muscle in every respect are required. It is the fact that 

 on the race course there have been schemes and tricks practiced, probably 

 there always will be those scandalous in the extreme, but frowned upon 

 by all breeders of respectability. Among the more respectable associa- 

 tions rules of the most stringent character have been drawn, and fairly 

 lived up to. If dishonest jockeying can be still further eliminated the true 

 animus of the turf may have a bright future before it in still farther 

 improving the breed of staunch thorough-breds, capable of carrying 

 weight, and with bottom to get the rider two, three and four miles af 

 high speed. These are what are really wanted, and not those that at the 

 end of a quarter or a half mile are entirely blown and jaded, or as aa 

 Englishman would express it, quite *' pumped out." 



IX. What the Racer Should Be; 



The model racing horse should be from fifteen and a half to sixteen 

 hands high, full and muscular in his build, with clean, sound limbs, short 

 backed, round in the barrel, w.ith long hips, deep and oblique shoulders, 



