MODERATELY-SIZED HORSES PREFERRED, 117 
flat racing, and the small foot is often the result of co: :traction 
brought on by disease. As horses sometimes get lame from 
diseases of the feet, it is best to purchase those only that 
appear sound in this respect, and without malformation, 
unless a proportionate sum be taken off—a concession many 
demand, as before mentioned. For the stud, or running, I 
should prefer moderately-sized horses—about fifteen hands 
one or two inches high, standing straight on their legs; but if 
bent either way at their knees, forward rather than backward, 
as in the latter case they are more liable to break down. The 
toes should stand straight on the feet: but if they be 
turned either way it is preferable to buy horses whose toes 
turn out, which is an indication of speed, rather than those 
whose toes turn in, an indication of slowness. 
A really good big horse is probably better than a really 
good small one; but as arule you may get fifty good small 
horses for one good large one, and the former will and do run 
well after the latter has been put to the stud. Bay Middleton 
and Elis, two exceedingly good racehorses, were both failures 
at the stud, having left the turf early ; whilst Vezzson, com- 
paratively a pony, was good at both. His son, Yoe Miller, 
was also a pony; and Didcibella and Weatherbound very 
little bigger. 
A good big horse may beat a good little one over a short 
course, or even at a mile or so; but I think at three or four 
miles a good little one would beat the best big one I ever saw. 
Camerine was perhaps, in her own or any other day, the best 
four-mile mare, and Zouchstone probably the best long-distance 
horse. The former, after winning a race over the Beacon 
course (four miles), ran through Newmarket on to the Bury 
hills (the other side of the town) before she could be stopped. 
Neither of these horses stood, I should think, over fifteen 
