THE HORSE, HOW TO BUY. 175 



horse is exceptionably stylish, black and dapple gray are good colors. 

 Gray horses are often bad tempered, and black horses are not as a rule, 

 docile. For ladies' use a dark cream color with white mane and tail, or 

 that rare combination, a dark chestnut with darker tail and mane are ele- 

 gant if of good form. So a strawberry roan, if unexceptionable in style 

 and form, is elegant. 



For single or double light driving, all distinct colors are good. Uneven 

 or curiously marked horses are allowable in a fancy team — as a mismatch I 

 in distinct colors — as it is called. The colors should be distinct and in 

 strong contrast, or else harmonious. A chestnut and a dark bay would 

 he harmonious, and yet distinct colors. So would be a chestnut and a 

 brown : a cream with white mane and tail, and a chestnut with dark mane 

 and tail would show a marked contrast, and yet be elegant ; so would be 

 cream-colored horses so marked. A pure white and a jet black would be 

 the most marked contrast possible, and not for a moment admissible, 

 except both were faultless in form and style of going. Here in fact is 

 where the line art lies in teams of two distinct colors : WTiatever the 

 mismatch in color ^ the team should he as near alike in form and car- 

 *'iage as possible. 



m. Action. 



There are really but two styles of action : low, smooth, safe action, and 

 high-stepping, showy action. The latter of little account except for 

 parade and showing off on the road in connection with fine style. A 

 high-stepping dolt is as unsafe as he is ungainly. The action that is 

 slow and safe, and fast and safe, if combined in an animal is invaluable. 



A horse with really good action moves all his limbs evenly, and brings 

 his hind legs well under him at every movement. Some horses with 

 round action in front — paddlers they are called — are often staunch and 

 8ure-footed, but this is in spite of this action, not in consequence of it. 

 Horses that straddle behind are often exceedingly fast trotters. Yel 

 neither of these movements are what would be sought, either in a fin* 

 saddle horse or in a good harness horse. 



IV. Pas^walking Horses. 



We have before stated that a perfect and fast walking gait was . not 

 only indispensable to every horse, but the most valuable gait a horse 

 could have for every day use. Yet we seldom see a horse that will walk 

 four and a half or five miles an hour, even when urged and in regular 1- 

 2-3-4 time, nodding his head harmoniously in cadence. If a purchaser 

 gets such a horse, or one that will do four miles under the saddle with* 



