INTRODUCTION. 



The subject of Conformation has been so little studied from 

 an exact point of view, that in default of sound reasons based 

 on a knowledge of anatomy and mechanics, and tested by- 

 practical experience, a number of horsey maxims and ex- 

 pressions have been adopted by many people, as un- 

 questionable authority for the soundness of the opinions they 

 advance. Take, for instance, the descriptive terms, "long 

 and low," and " good to follow," which we frequently hear 

 applied in indiscriminate approval to draught animals and 

 race-horses, and which, if suitable for one class, must 

 necessarily be incorrect for the other. Some men who have 

 had experience with horses, but who recognise the fact of 

 their own ignorance, get out of the difficulty of appearing less 

 learned than their fellows by boldly declaring, with reference 

 to racers, that "horses run in all shapes" — a remark which 

 has passed almost into an adage. Throughout the animal 

 kingdom, we may see that the possession of speed or 

 strength is associated with certain peculiarities of shape 

 which can be readily recognised by an instructed observer. 

 In this respect, the horse is no exception. He, like other 

 animals that have the power of moving from one place to 

 another, is a locomotive machine, which is constructed 



