76 THE HORSE. 



when, if the blood could not accumulate in them, it would often 

 choke the deep vessels of the heart and lungs; but by collecting 

 on the surface great relief is afforded, and the horse is able to 

 maintain such a high and long-continued speed as would be im- 

 practicable without their help. Hence, these points are not useful 

 as a mere mark of breed, but as essential to the very purpose for 

 which that breed was established. 



The mane and tail should be silky and not curly, though a 

 slight wave is often seen. A decided curl is almost universally a 

 mark of degradation, and shows a stain in the pedigree as clearly 

 as any sign can do. Here, however, as in other cases, the clear 

 tracing of that all-powerful proof of breeding will upset all reason- 

 ing founded upon inferior data. The setting on of the tail is often 

 regarded as of great importance, but it is chiefly with reference to 

 appearances ; for the horse is not dependent for action >r power 

 upon this appendage. Nor is strength of dock of any certain value 

 as a sign, for I have known some very stout horses with flaccid 

 and loosely pendent tails ; but still it may be accepted as a general 

 rule, that when the muscles of the tail are weak, those of the rest 

 of the body are likely to be so also. 



CHAPTER VI. 



ON THE LOCOMOTIVE ACTION IN THE VARIOUS PACES. 



Natur-al and Acquired Paces — Distribution of Weight — Attitudt 

 assumed in Standing — Mode of Progression- — The Walk — 

 Trot — Canter — Hand-Gallop — Extended Gallop — The Amble — ■ 

 Racking, Pacing, and Running — The Paces of the Manege — 

 Leaping. 



NATURAL AND ACQUIRED PACES. 



In A state OF nature it is probable that the horse only pos- 

 sesses two paces, namely, the walk and the gallop; but when he is 

 the produce of a domesticated sire and dam, even before he is 

 handled, he will generally show a slight tendency to trot, and 

 sometimes to amble, rack, or pace, if any of his progenitors have 

 been remarkable for these artificial modes of progression. In this 

 country, however, it may be assumed that the horse, without being 

 taught, walks, trots, and gallops, more or less perfectly, according 

 to his formation and temperament. 



DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT. 



Except in the gallop ANr canter, in the fast trot, and in 

 leaping, the weight of the horse is borne by two or more ol Jie legs, 



