62 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



leg. From the rear, a plumb line dropped from point of croup 

 or buttock will pass the center of hock, cannon, pastern, and 

 foot. Viewed from the side, if dropped from point of croup or 

 buttock, it should touch the point of hock and pass along close 

 against the back edge of the cannon and parallel with it. 



Action in the coach horse is an absolute requirement. People 

 vary in the degree to which they desire this. The lover of the 

 Hackney desires a rather high, bold knee action of a flashy sort, 

 with a notable elevation of the foot at its highest point. The 

 hind legs have a powerful movement, the hocks are strongly 

 bent or flexed, and the legs are carried well up under the body. 

 This is what is known as a " trappy gait," and such a horse is a 

 " high stepper." The coach horse possessing such a movement 

 is in great demand, in the horse market, and brings the highest 

 price, other things being equal. Such a gait is not consistent 

 with the best speed, and wise lovers of the horse prefer less 

 high action and more reach and power. Further, with high knee 

 action comes a greater concussion to limbs and feet, and conse- 

 quently greater punishment and more rapid wearing out of the 

 horse than would otherwise be the case. Especially is this true 

 on the city pavement. Trueness of action is essential, whether 

 a high stepper or not, the legs being carried forward in the same 

 general line and the feet moved neither in nor out. The hocks 

 should be firm and not show weakness, as springing wide apart 

 when in action, and the feet should be held true, neither turning 

 in nor out at the toes. When either at walk or trot the horse 

 should pass from or come toward the judge on the same true 

 line, without sidewise gait, dragging feet, paddling, clicking, etc. 

 Straight and regular movement should be sought for. Ordinarily 

 a coach horse is expected to have a speed of about eight or ten 

 miles an hour. 



Sub-classes of coach horses. On account of the requirements 

 of city trade in particular, in relation to the size and use of vari- 

 ous vehicles, the coach horse is divided into groups. This classi- 

 fication only occurs, however, in the important horse shows and 

 in the exclusive trade of the city dealer. Pure-bred coach horses, 

 as a rule, do not come within these sub-classes when of the smaller 

 type, though the Hackney may furnish an exception. 



