Page:Horsemanship for Women.djvu/153

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BUYING A SADDLE-HORSE.
139

Tail.—Not set on too high, but yet carried gracefully.

Thigh, or True Thigh.—Reaches from hip-joint to stifle. Should be long to give speed.

Thrapple, or Throttle (5).—Upper part of throat.

True Arm (8, 8).—See "Arm." To a careless observer it appears to form part of the shoulder.

Withers (6).—It is the height of the withers which gives the height of the horse.


To be a "good judge of a horse" is indeed an accomplishment as rare as it is desirable; but while it cannot be taught by word of mouth or pen, yet a few principles may be acquired which will be of great assistance in cultivating the eye. Even if the judgment be never so thoroughly formed as to be a safe guide unaided in purchasing, yet a great deal of pleasure may be derived from noting the comparative excellences of the really fine horses constantly to be seen in this country; and there is no reason in the world why a lady's opinion on this subject should continue to weigh as little as it has generally done hitherto. A graceful neck and an air of spirit usually win the feminine suffrages, yet often co-exist with a long back, spindle-shanks, and a chest both shallow and narrow. Nevertheless, a good neck is an excellent thing, and so is a small head, especially if it have a wide forehead; but next look to see if there is also (to use a horsey expression), "a short back and a long belly," a deep chest, a sloping shoulder, and legs broad and long above the knee and hock, but broad and short below.