but I think it scarcely correct, fince an equal distribution of fubftance, is obviously as neceffary, as of length. Ofmer, no doubt, intended to speak comparatively between the different fpecies, and it is certain, that the fouthern bred horse, with his fmall hard fhank, and large, dry, and tough finew, is able to move with a much larger proportional weight, than the thick grofs horse of these northern countries. Nevertheless, to be able to carry weight, a large finew should be attached to a shank, and joints proportionally large; and the whole fupported by a foot of compafs sufficient to form a fteady foundation. It is the refult of my conftant observation, that hacks, with large bone under the knee, will always endure most rattling over the hard road.

Horses formed too bulky upwards, for their lower extremities, are liable to various accidental lamenesses and defects, merely from the unequal preffure of their own weight. Hence windgalls, fplents, fpavins, and particularly crookedness of the joints. These, and all early-grown cattle, fhould be put to work very late, in which cafe, they will improve; otherwife will feldom ftand found long. It is a mathematical truth, that a crooked joint cannot be so strong as a straight one, as a column is ftrong, in proportion as it is perpendi cular.

There

toes.

In

There is a certain reason why St. Bel did wrong in not quoting Ofmer by name. one cafe, he has very properly corrected him. Ofmer, though an excellent writer, was a little too pofitive. He offers a method of fhoeing, or paring one fide of the foot of a colt, which is infallibly to prevent his ever turning out his But he erred in fuppofing the defect to be the mere confequence of early habit, since it is no doubt almoft ever the refult of natural conformation, and his propofed remedy might be attended with dangerous confequences. He, perhaps, received the opinion of the Stagyrite too literally, "that Nature never errs," which, if predicted of her original determinations, is unquestionable; but if of spontaneous and fortuitous action, is contradicted by every day's experience.

It is a very juft obfervation, that a horse can scarce go too wide behind," and, that he ought to be very wide across the knee, forearm, thigh, and hock. But I have, as well as Bracken, feen now and then one, which exceeded in those particulars, and which were inapt for action in consequence, but robust and hard feeders. A Horfe muft obviously lose ftrength, if the hind legs be too far extended, and I have thence feen that wavering of the croup, noted by St. Bel, in both faddle and draft

horses,

horses. Too extenfive quarters prefs too much upon the fore-parts, and occafion the horse to over-reach. I know not whether it has been hitherto remarked, that a horse going wide behind, appears to an unfkilled obferver, to be lame of that hind-leg, upon which his eye is fixed, notwithstanding it be perfectly found; but fo it certainly is.

The health and condition of animals, is afcertained by the gloss, fleeknefs, and evenness of the coat. If the horfe's hair flares, or flicks out, and look dead, he is difeafed, or ill-fed. If nits appear upon the extremity of the hairs, he has been lately át grafs.

The figns of vice and ill-nature in Horses, must be fought in the eyes and countenance. A vicious horfe, when he lays his ears and looks back, exposes the whites of his eyes, and his malicious intentions are very visibly painted in his countenance. He flands commonly with his neck fixed, as if prepared for offence. Care fhould be taken to difcriminate. The beft-natured horfes will, on the approach of man, lay their ears, fmile (for they are most truly rifible animals) and move their necks to and fro, in a wanton and playful manner. There is an expreffion of nobleness and generofity beaming from the eye of a good, and well-tempered horfe; and it is grievous, often

to

to see the friendly advances of this excellent, this next to human creature, treated with furly indifference, or cruel stripes. Jockies fay, "a Horfe fhould carry his head in a proper place, when mounted;" How is that? So that his chin, or under jaw, recline fomewhat under his windpipe, and his neck and head form a portion of a circle. But this relates only to a flow pace.

In the purchase of a horse, with the usual warrant, we will suppose, the buyer ought to attend firft of all to the most important confiderations, in which being fatisfied, it is vain to hefitate, fince as the cafe ftands, he may not meet that satisfaction every day. These, I think, are-age, ability to carry his weight, fafe going, and good feet; freedom from knocking, cutting, or over-reaching; that there be no need of martingale, or crupper; speed.

What has been already faid of form and blood, the reader will find as ftrictly applicable, in general, to the hunter as the hackney; but the former not being required to trot, or to go much over hard-roads, are additional arguments in favour of thorough blood. Nor can it be doubted, that a bred horse (if not too high upon the leg) from the cleanness of his make, and the ftrength of his finews, is the fittest to carry twenty ftone, over the deepest and most inclosed country.

VOL. I.

Q

I have

I have obferved, that the Irish hunters are the highest leapers in the world, from their being early trained thereto. Would it not be advantageous, to bring all our colts of fize and figure to the bar? Good standing-leapers, are, I think, generally scarce; and fome, which are good in that respect, will hesitate and boggle at their flying leaps. Perhaps an early attention might remedy those defects.

I

CHAP. V.

ON THE PACES, AND THE EQUESTRIAN ART, OR MODERN METHOD OF RIDING ON HORSEBACK, AS PRACTISED BY BOTH SEXES.

RESUME the description of the natural paces, walk, trot, canter, and gallop, common to all Horfes; but of which, the trot is the best pace of the northern, the gallop of the fouthern horfe; and this diftinction arises from their different conformation.

In progreffion, the feet fhould be put forward in an even and rectilinear direction, and the farther the fore-legs are advanced, the greater is the profpect of speed, the hinder-quarters, being thrown forward, in due proportion.