ST. GATIEN. 



making practical observations on horses, we may often be 

 greatly assisted in our investigations by judging of the 

 muscles by the bones, and vice vei^sd. Thus, if we see an 

 animal in poor condition which has been brought on by hard- 

 ship or want of food, we may, by the appearance of his 

 " bone," form a good idea of what his muscles will be when he 

 " fills out," Even when a horse is "fit and well," a display of 

 large, well-shaped bone (of the body as well as of the limbs) 

 should dispose us to consider that his muscles are more 

 powerful than they appear at first glance. I was much struck 

 with this fact on the first occasion I had an opportunity of 

 closely inspecting the celebrated St. Gatien, whom Mr. John 

 Hammond very kindly showed me in his box, some time 

 before he ran his dead heat with Harvester for the Derby of 

 1884; for I was greatly "taken" with the sight of the 

 large, symmetrically formed bones of his legs, his long 

 back ribs, and his well-developed pelvis, the inner angle of 

 which was so prominent as to make a distinct " rise " in the 

 outline of his croup ; not to mention his long, sloping 

 shoulders, and immense gaskins. On the other hand, if we 

 observe that an animal which is in "dealer's condition" is 

 light of bone, we may, as a rule, conclude that there is not 

 very much muscle in the load of flesh which he carries. 

 Among sound, good horses, " Mr. Morton's " well-known 

 handicap winner, Dalmeny, was one of the lightest below the 

 knee I have ever seen ; but no exception could have been 

 taken to him on that account, for his shape was particularly 

 true and level, and his muscles were of the long slender 

 type which is generally characteristic of the possession of 

 speed. I need hardly say that the bones and muscles of the 

 limbs are not always in keeping with those of the body ; 



