VII THE SIRE 89 
The mongrel-bred horse with an unknown pedigree, 
however good to look at, is one to beware of, as 
such can never be depended on for reproducing 
his like, but may throw back to his worst crosses. 
A few words about the Cleveland sire to assist 
those, and they are many, who: are not acquainted 
with the breed. The Cleveland horse should stand 
16.1 in height; in colour he varies between a 
light, bright ‘golden bay and a dark mahogany or 
brown bay, with black legs, mane, and tail. He 
should be lengthy in the body, but deep at the 
shoulders, and his ribs well sprung ; strong over the 
loins ; his quarters long, oval, and level, the tail coming 
out high at the end of them; his neck should arch 
elegantly, and he should wear his largish and some- 
times plain, but nearly always intelligent, head well ; 
his legs should be clean, fine, hard, sinewy, and flat ; 
his feet sound and excellent, neither too large nor too 
small; and he should measure about 9g inches of 
bone below the knee. His great virtue is the com- 
bination of power and strength with activity, style, 
and quality. 
