Breeding of Hunters and Roadsters. 
357 
The point to be looked to in the head of a horse is its con- 
nection with the neck so as to admit of its being brought into a 
graceful position, when the horse is easily broken, moves grace- 
fully, and breathes freelv. If a cross-bred horse combines a large 
square head with a defective connexion in relation to neck and 
trunk, he cannot bring his forehand into a good posture ; and 
if this be attemptetl he breathes with difficulty, hence many 
roarers are found of this form. 
Let us, then, improve heads bv careful breeding ; but not try 
to obtain on one horse the head which would have better become 
another. 
Whether looking at stallions, mares, or their produce, breeders 
will be more likely to arrive at a correct appreciation of their 
worth if thev take the whole animal in view at a glance, when, if 
nothing offend the critical eve, it is most likely that more strict 
and patient examination into details will confirm the first im- 
pression. Men, on the other hand, who are always talking of 
points, and criticising in detail without knowing what relation 
one part bears to another in producing such effects as constitute 
good action, are seldom right by chance. 
The choice of a stallion with the idea that something in his 
shape may correct a defect in the mare is seldom found good in 
practice ; that a horse has good hocks whilst all the rest is 
indifferent, cannot justify his selection : I have never seen good 
derived from these compromises ; sire and dam should be good 
all over. 
Two' measurements may be taken of a horse, which will be 
found useful and afford instruction, after which the rest mav be 
left to the eye and the touch. Every symmetrically formed 
horse in good and normal condition will be found to measure 
about one-fifth more in girth, viz., round the circumference of 
the chest, than he measures in height : he should be of the same 
height, when standing on level ground, over the withers and 
rump. # • 
By this rule a perfectlv-formed stallion of 16 hands in height 
will girth 80 inches, whilst the good Clydesdale of 16 hands 3 
inches will fully sustain that proportion ; and horses of lower 
standard show no noticeable difference where we find perfection 
in form. 
W hen the above proportion subsists, the form of the horse will 
generally be good. Such form ensures a good loin, and, almost 
as certainly, the well-placing of the shoulder and the good pro- 
portion of the limbs, the form and character of which must be 
scrutinized to the ground: light, powerful, and easv movements 
result from proportionate construction. 
The paces of the horse, the walk, trot, and gallop are all 
