THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 99 



forming high, fairly close, but long withers. The chest is 

 often rather narrow and lung capacity is obtained by 

 great depth which, in connection with the high withers, 

 gives the body a deep appearance. 



The back should be fairly broad, level and muscular, 

 with well-sprung ribs of great depth, thus giving diges- 

 tive capacity., The loins should be broad and muscular. 

 The croup tends to length and a bit straight, but should be 

 well muscled. The tail should be attached medium high 

 and carried gracefully. The quarters should be long, deep 

 and strongly muscled, thus giving great driving power. The 

 legs above the knees and hocks should be long and well 

 muscled. The knees and hocks should be strong and 

 clean. The cannons should be deep and clean with ten- 

 dons well detached. The fetlocks should be strong and 

 clean. The pasterns should be long and sloping, as well 

 as strong and clean. The feet should be of medium size, 

 with the hoof dense and elastic. A fine, smooth coat of 

 hair and a soft delicate skin, with the superficial blood 

 vessels well marked, complete a general appearance of 

 quality and refinement. 



In height, the Thoroughbred ranges from 14.2 to 16.2 

 hands, though 15 to 15.2 hands is most approved. It is 

 interesting to note that the breed has increased in height 

 during its development, the statement being made that 

 the average height has increased from 14 hands in 1700 

 to 15 hands 2^/2 inches in 1900. The weight is likewise 

 extremely variable, but in general ranges from 900 to 

 1,050 pounds, though many excellent individuals exceed 

 this^many pounds. The prevailing colors are bay, brown 

 and chestnut, with one or more white markings, though 

 black, gray; sorrel, roan and, in fact, all colors are occa- 

 sionally found. In temperament, the Thoroughbred is 

 nervous and often mettlesome because of his racing spirit. 



Famous race meetings. — The three noted race meetings 

 in England are the Derby, the St. Leger and the Oaks, 



