42 REVIEW.—ON THE CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 
In fact, with us there is a manifest want of sources of tuition in 
this department of veterinary science. There are not only no 
works devoted to the subject, but there are no lectures, no instruc¬ 
tions given on it. And yet there is hardly a horseman in Britain 
who, were his knowledge about horses questioned in this respect, 
would not feel it as a reflection of as derogatory a character as could 
well have been thrown out against him. And there certainly 
does exist current among men that have much or all to do with 
horses in our own country, a sort of traditional practical knowledge 
of the “ make and shape ” of horses, the purposes for which they 
are fitted, and their capabilities, which might well surprise a 
foreigner or any other person when he came to be informed that 
such knowledge had no other source save its being handed about 
from man to man, and its being improved through observation and 
experience, according to the aptitude and abilities of the individuals 
with whom it happened to be lodged. 
M. Richard has made four divisions of his work. In the 
First, he says, it shall be his endeavour to shew that the breeder 
who takes upon himself to frame living machines ought at least to 
be as well prepared for his work as a maker of artificial machinery. 
The artist who models living matter can succeed but by dint of 
theoretical and practical studies. 
“ The Second Part is devoted to descriptions of the horse. 
Bourgelat’s precepts have, up to the present time, been followed. 
M. Richard contemplates making extensive reforms in them. 
Knowledge of horses is grounded on mathematical and physiological 
science. Those who do not study it upon this basis can never 
thoroughly comprehend the question of the perfectionation of 
breed. 
“ In THE Third Part, the proportions of the horse as esta¬ 
blished by Bourgelat will be examined. This great genius would 
have the proportions of the horse established upon the same prin¬ 
ciples as apply to man. Here he was in error. Man’s beauty is 
ideal or conventional; that of a horse is mathematical. 
“ In the last Part, breeding is considered.” 
Passing the “First Division” of the work by in silence, we 
come to that which immediately concerns us on the present occa¬ 
sion; viz. 
“ The Description of the different Parts of the Body 
of the Horse.” 
