134 THE GOVERNMENT STUDS OF FRANCE. 



striking characteristic of the breed being to carry the head and 

 the tail high ; broad in the stifle ; very strong, broad hock, stand- 

 ing on clean, flat, cordy legs ; very broad, strong joints in knee 

 as well as hock; sufficient length of pasterns to give them 

 elasticity ; and, underneath all, feet formed to stand the road. 



" The most striking characteristics and strong point of the 

 breed is their wonderful elasticity and uniformly high knee and 

 hock action, which peculiarly adapts them for use as gentle- 

 men's driving horses, over all other breeds of coach horses. 



" A still further commendation for them to our people is the 

 certainty with which they transmit their own good qualities to 

 their offspring. For more than half a century they have been 

 bred under the strictest government supervision, so that their 

 pedigrees are beyond dispute. The government certificate of 

 breeding accompanies each animal, and they all trace directly 

 to the thoroughbred." 



In color they are mostly bays and browns, with but little 

 white markings. 



