4 
THE HORSE. 
THE RACE-HORSE. 
in 1745, and died in 1777, at the age of 32. When he first appeared for trial on the turf, nothing could exceed the ridicule of 
the jockeys at an attempt to run a coach-horse, as he was called. Sampson, however, turned out a racer of amazing power, and 
beat most of the horses of the day with which he entered into contest. The prevailing opinion of modern breeders is, that 
Sampson was really of pure blood, and that his peculiarity of form was an accidental variety. 
The records of recognised authority with respect to the pedigree of Turf-horses, are the Stud-book and Racing Calendars. 
These works afford every detail required regarding the horses recognised as thorough-bred. It will be seen that, while the 
pedigree of the dam is carefully recorded, descents are reckoned by the male. The Arabs, it has been said, adopt a different 
practice, and reckon descents by the female. Either usage is founded on the assumption that the virtues of the parents are repro¬ 
duced in the progeny. The English breeders adopt the most natural course, that of reckoning by the parent whose influence is 
« the most extensive with regard to the numbers to which he communicates his qualities. The practices are not essentially 
different in the result; for a male possessing certain properties, derives them, on the assumption of the regularity of our law, from 
a male that has possessed the same virtues. The establishment of a true system of genealogy, it is apparent, must be founded on 
the derivation of both parents. 
The Race-Horse, cultivated for a peculiar purpose, presents the conformation of parts which adapt him to the ends proposed. 
His height is from fifteen to sixteen hands. A medium, or even a smaller size, is preferred to one exceeding the usual standard. 
Few very tall racers have been remarkable for their performances on the turf, while many of the smaller size have proved 
themselves the most trustworthy and valuable. He is somewhat light in the body ; and the limbs, with relation to the trunk, are 
somewhat longer than in the horses suited for the endurance of fatigue, or the exertion of physical force, as the Hunter, the 
Hackney, the Cart-Horse ; in which respects the Race-Horse approaches nearer to the African than the Asiatic type. The chest 
is deep, but narrow—a conformation suited to the exertion of speed. The shoulder is finely formed, and oblique, but generally 
more low than consists with the safe and powerful action of the fore extremities. The back is somewhat long, and the distance 
between the last rib and the pelvis greater than in the hunter, in which strength and the power of endurance are more regarded. 
The croup is long, the breadth and length of the hind-quarters large, and the muscles well developed. In these latter points, 
connected in the first degree with the power of progression, the Race-Horse surpasses all other known breeds. The head is fine 
and moderately small, the forehead broad; the eyes are large and brilliant, the ears delicate, the lips thin, the nostrils wide, 
the subcutaneous veins apparent, the jaws distant. The neck is somewhat long, straight, and thin, and the windpipe appears 
distinct. The limbs are muscular to the knee and hock, and below these joints tendinous, thin, and flat. The pasterns are long 
and oblique, and the hoof is well formed. The whole conformation of the animal indicates lightness, activity, and the power of 
rapid motion. To these properties, indeed, others have been sacrificed, indicative of strength, safe action, and the power of 
endurance. A painter or a sculptor, were he to choose the model of a beautiful horse, would not select the thorough-bred Horse : 
he would prefer the Turk, with his nobler carriage, or the Hunter, with his broader chest, his shorter back, his more elevated 
crest and withers; but knowing the uses to which the Race-Horse is destined, we are reconciled to the peculiarities of his form, 
and even associate them with ideas of beauty and harmony of parts. The prevailing colour of the modern Race-Horse is bay, 
with black legs, mane, and tail. A rich chestnut, too, the colour of Eclipse, is not unfrequent. Black is rare, although good 
horses, chiefly those of the Trumpator blood, have been of this colour. Grey sometimes presents itself; but dun, roan, and 
piebald, are unusual. 
As the conformation of the Race-Horse has become adapted to the exercise of a peculiar class of powers, so his treatment, food, 
and discipline, have relation to the same end. From an early period of his life he is placed in what may be termed an artificial 
condition, with respect to temperature, nourishment, and exercise. He is scarcely separated from the dam before he is clothed, 
placed in a hot stable, put on a diet of dry food, and exercised according to rules. Fie is brought upon the turf at the age of 
three years, or sooner. According to a modern practice unhappily introduced, he is frequently run at the age of two years, or 
even before he has arrived at the second year. This system is calculated to produce an injurious effect on this noble race of 
horses. It deprives the animals of that food which is best suited to the system in early life, substitutes artificial discipline for 
that natural exercise which the young and immature animal requires, and tasks his powers to the extreme, before his natural 
growth has been completed. It impairs by over-excitement the vigour of the system, produces a tendency to many maladies, and 
shortens the duration of life. Not only does it affect the individual, but it acts upon the progeny, causing feebleness and disease, 
and impairing the natural powers of the race. 
The principle of the treatment of the modern Race-Horse, which is to be brought to a forced maturity of muscle and bone, is 
to keep him in what is termed condition, allowing him only a period of relaxation after the labour of the season. He re¬ 
ceives dry and nourishing food, is kept in a high temperature by the heat of the stable and continued clothing, and is rarely exposed 
