THE THOROUGHBRED 



23 



the legs. A rather broad, strong knee, supported by a short, flat 

 cannon bone extending well back, is desirable. The lihid leg at 

 the hocks ought to be deep, clean, free from fleshiness, and be 

 supported by a short, flat, clean cannon bone. The pastern joint 

 should be smooth, placed true, and in harmony with the leg as a 

 whole. The pasterns should be rather long and slanting, yet 

 strong, clean, and springy, being carried at an angle of about 

 45 degrees. The feet should be of medium size, wide and high 

 at the heel, concave below, and be carried straight and true. In 

 order to secure speed it is essential that the knees and hocks 

 move smoothly and freely and that this movement be true. The 

 gait of the Thoroughbred is essentially the gallop, which horses 

 of this breed show to perfection. 



The height of the Thoroughbred ranges from 14^^ to 16 1 hands, 

 but 15 to I5|- is most approved. It is probable that this breed 

 has increased in height with its development. About the middle 

 of the last century Rous asserted that the breed had increased a 

 hand in height during the preceding hundred years. Sir Walter 

 Gilbey states that "from an average height of 14 hands in 1700 

 the breed has been graded up to an average of 1 5 hands 2I inches 

 in the year 1900." 



The weight of the Thoroughbred is quite variable, but in gen- 

 eral ranges from 900 to 1050 pounds. 



The color of the Thoroughbred is variable. Bays and browns 

 are quite general and most popular, though chestnuts frequently 

 occur, while blacks, grays, and roans may be found. 



The temperament of the Thoroughbred is nervous and mettle- 

 some, this horse being endowed with great spirit and endurance 

 in the race. Frequently riders have great difficulty in restraining 

 their horses at the opening of a race, so impatient are they to 

 make the start. 



A list of famous British Thoroughbreds might include a large 

 number of animals. The following horses have attained great 

 fame on the British turf and may be regarded as among the very 

 best representatives of the breed. This brief list, which covers 

 nearly one hundred and fifty years, gives the date of foaling and 

 the name of sire and dam in each case: Squirt, \Ti'2, by Bart- 

 lett's Childers, out of tli%/S»afcg fli!ftaas)9®f <?A<5'-^i-, 1 773, by Eclipse, 



