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LECTURES ON HORSES. 
LENGTH OF Limb is likewise to be considered. Short legs 
are in general preferred, because in themselves they indicate su- 
perior strength, and because they, by nature, are associated with 
depth of chest and carcass, and other signs of stamina and dura- 
bility ; but the long limb possesses advantages in stride and lever- 
age, and therefore, where speed is required, becomes a desirable 
formation. The length of limb must very much depend on the 
purpose the animal is destined for : a long leg would be as ill 
adapted for a cart-horse, or a horse to carry weight, as a short one 
would be for a racer. In speaking of the body, I observed that 
the animal must have length, as well as power, to become fleet : 
“ to get over the ground” length becomes absolutely necessary 
in the propelling parts of the machine, and these are the loins and 
the limbs. To be sure, we do occasionally meet with horses with 
long limbs and short bodies — the Persian horses I have seen have 
been of this description ; but such are rare and undesirable con- 
formations; the limbs, as I observed in a former lecture, doing too 
much for the body, or rather, the latter restricting them in their 
action. People in general make objection to horses with undue 
length of limb : such a horse has “ loo much daylight underneath 
him to be good for any thing” is a common expression enough in 
these cases; and, prima facie — and in nine cases, perhaps, out 
of ten — these people are correct in their disapprobation. But, 
every now and then comes a horse before us with all this apparent 
objectionable and sub-corporeal “ daylight,” and yet with extra- 
ordinary power in his long limbs, with circularity in his chest though 
it be not deep, and with the known character of being “ a good 
feeder after work ;” and when such a horse does present himself, 
we may, should he possess breeding, regard him, notwithstanding 
his long legs and light body, as an animal of a rare and valuable 
description. His legs have but little to carry in himself, are there- 
fore likely to “ wear well;” but what is of the greatest consequence 
as a hunter or racer, he is likely to prove a fleet horse, and withal 
a good-winded horse. I have known horses whom, looking at 
their “ herring guts” and long legs, nobody would have purchased, 
and yet, from their being in possession of the qualities hereinbefore 
mentioned, that have turned out most valuable acquisitions. I 
mention these facts to shew that one ought not hastily to reject a 
horse with long limbs and their frequent accompaniment, a nar- 
row carcass. 
The Fore-Legs. 
The two fore-limbs — extremities , as they are often called by 
professional persons — differ essentially from the hind ones in their 
superstructures ; though their lower members arid their pedestals 
