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INTRODUCTION. 
 
 By a detailed series of graphic and descriptive illustrations, it 
 is the intention of the Author of this work to shew the good and 
 bad points in that most noble and useful animal, the Horse. He 
 has adopted the mode of detaching the various parts of the subject ; 
 because, by a comparison of the distinct appearances, the general 
 impression upon the memory of the reader is likely to be much 
 stronger than could result from the study of any treatise of a less 
 abstracted nature ; to understand which, a knowledge of anatomy, 
 or a constant reference to some scientific work, is indispensable. 
 
 This publication is also intended as a Book of Lessons for such 
 young Artists as are inclined to pursue the study of the horse in all 
 the different points of his figure and action. 
 
 There is no animal whose countenance combines such correct 
 and powerful expressions of character. The physiognomy of the 
 horse, therefore, illustrating the different passions to which he is 
 subject, as well as the natural bias of his temper and disposition^ 
 is an important branch of study to gentlemen of the turf, and to 
 young purchasers : for it is generally considered that, to timid 
 
2 
 
 riders and drivers, the temper of the beast is an object of more 
 consequence than any slight bodily blemish. 
 
 In this point of view, therefore, the Author flatters himself 
 that his work will be found useful ; and, as his remarks are the 
 result of the most attentive observation during many years, entirely 
 devoted to the pleasures of the field, he trusts that the general prin- 
 ciples which he has laid down, as well with respect to power, 
 strength, and the various points of action, as to the physiognomical 
 character and figure of the horse, will be found clearly elucidated 
 in the following Series. 
 
I 
 
 fig 5 1 
 
PLATE I. 
 
 Figure 1. — The head here introduced, in its character, very 
 nearly reaches the perfection of good temper, spirit, and beauty : 
 it ought progressively to diminish in weight and size as it ap- 
 proaches the nose ; if pressed by the thumb, the cheek bones should 
 appear to be merely covered with skin, and the jaw underneath 
 should be hollow, with the skin loose. By comparing these remarks 
 with the figure, and contrasting its form with the other subjects in 
 this plate, the reader will possess himself of a perfect knowledge 
 of these requisites in the choice or judgment of an animal. 
 
 Figure 2. — Represents a head, not inferior, perhaps, to the 
 former in temper ; but wholly deficient both in spirit and in beauty. 
 This head is heavy, and badly set on to the neck ; the jaw-bone 
 and gullet forming almost an angle : the nose is encumbered with 
 a great deal of what is technically called leather. However perfect 
 this animal may be in all his other points, he will prove heavy and 
 sluggish, and always carry his head most awkwardly and unplea- 
 santly. 
 
 Figure 3. — Is the front view of a head, well proportioned, and 
 marked with an expression that bids fair for good temper and spirit : 
 narrow at the setting on of the ears, which, when the look of the 
 animal is marked with particular anxiety, should be brought nearly 
 together at the points, extending in bone towards the eyes, which 
 ought to look rather sideways than straight forward. Let the 
 reader compare the decrease down to the nose, with Figure 4. 
 
 Figure 4. — Shews the front view of a head, heavy in spirit 
 and disposition ; broad at the point or crown of the head : the 
 increase on the eye-brow is composed of flesh and skin ; the direc- 
 tion of the eyes, looking forward, and thence downwards to the 
 nose, displays but little deviation in substance. The distinction 
 
 will be easily perceived by a reference to Figure 3. 
 
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PLATE II. 
 
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 Figure 1. — Is the expression of rage, with a great deal of vice ; 
 this passion will always be conspicuous in the countenance of the 
 horse possessed of these bad qualities ; but not to the extent shewn 
 in the plate, unless provoked. Horses of this disposition, by having 
 even a finger or stick pointed at them, will give full force to this 
 character. Many are taught this vice : but, whether inherent in 
 the disposition, or acquired, the animals which possess it are still 
 very dangerous. 
 
 Figure 2. — This character of countenance, from repeated in- 
 stances that I have met with, I consider to possess more malicious 
 vice than Figure 1. The horse from which this character was 
 taken, although a good worker when once in harness, is one of the 
 most ferocious beasts of the tribe denominated tame. 
 
 Figure 3. — The character of terror, which is the prominent 
 mark of this head, is by some classed amongst the vices of this 
 animal. If it be not a vice, however, it is one of the most trouble- 
 some faults incident to the horse : for it embraces all the conse- 
 quences of all the vices which he can possess ; a terrified horse 
 being more to be dreaded than one actually vicious. 
 
 Figure 4. — A horse of a sulky character, such as is conspicuous 
 in this countenance, although in some cases rather to be dreaded 
 than otherwise, is sometimes very good at work. The obstinacy of 
 this character, however, not unfrequently turns to restiveness. 
 It is a subject which may be useful, but never can be pleasant, 
 
Fig 1. 
 
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PLATE III. 
 
 These heads are taken from good horses for their separate 
 uses. 
 
 Figure 1. — Is as good a hackney as ever was mounted, 
 for work ; but by no means pleasant in temper, or manner of car- 
 riage. It is very seldom that a vicious or restive horse can ride 
 light and playful in hand. I have proved this subject excessively 
 good at long and hard journies ; but at the same time great portion 
 of the labour must be done by the rider. 
 
 Figure 2.— This character is good in every respect, beautiful 
 in its shape and action, extremely light and pleasant to ride, and, 
 although rather playful, perfectly gentle. 
 
 Figure 3. — I introduce this head, considering it one of the 
 handsomest I ever saw ; and have endeavoured with my pencil to 
 embody the most perfect expression of beauty and spirit. 
 
 Figure 4. — Is a common-place head and neck. Although the 
 subject from which this was drawn is a very good slow horse, it 
 is twenty to one, with such a form, against his being good for any 
 thing but a cart. The head is well shaped, by itself, but heavy and 
 badly connected ; and the animal himself never could either ride 
 or drive pleasantly. 
 
PLATE IV. 
 
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 Figure 1. — Ts a fore leg formed for speed, and perhaps action ; 
 but not calculated for permanency. The plate of the knee being 
 much lower than it ought to be, the horse must be considered as a 
 dangerous road animal. 
 
 Figure 2. — Is formed to do much work, and last long at it. 
 
 Figure 3. — Is good in substance ; but rather round, and too 
 straight. 
 
 Figure 4. — Is a pair of legs well formed for strength and 
 action. 
 
 Figure 5. — Displays the front view of legs badly formed, 
 being what the dealers call made like a dancing master ought to 
 be ; but still, if the toe, or point of the hoof, deviate at all from the 
 straight line, it should be this way, as the contrary is extremely 
 dangerous on the road, and indeed any where else. 
 
 Figure 6. — A leg made for neither speed nor power, being flat 
 and poor in the arm, round and weak in the leg, thin and long in 
 the pastern, and large in the hoof. 
 
 Figure 7. — A pair of legs worse than Figure 5, being weak, 
 badly formed, and hardly good for any thing. 
 
 Figure 8 —This appearance is seldom formed by Nature ; it 
 is occasioned by hard work, straining, &c. 
 
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PLATE V. 
 
 The Four first Figures are intended to shew the back of the 
 off fore legs : Figure 1 is firmly standing on the ground, slightly 
 turned out, which, as I have before observed, is better than turned 
 in ; but it is the general way that it should stand perfectly straight 
 in a back view. 
 
 Figure 2. — Is the contrary of Figure 1, being much turned in 
 and bent at the knee. This is a bad leg, without one thing to 
 recommend it. 
 
 Figure 3.— Is very different to Figure 2, but equally bad ; the 
 hoof being turned much out, and calf-knee'd. 
 
 Figure 4. — Is a leg square and firmly set on the ground, and 
 likely to stand work. 
 
 Figure 5. — Is the best of two evils, standing near together at 
 the hocks : the legs should stand like Figure 6, and both exactly 
 alike ; but when that is not to be obtained, the form of Figure 5 is 
 to be preferred. Some people are fond of the form of Figure 7 ; but 
 it never can last ; and must produce an unpleasant action, both to 
 the sight and feeling. 
 
PLATE VI. 
 
 Figure 1. — I introduce this subject for the beauty of its neck, 
 and setting-on of the fore leg ; both of which are remarkably good ;. 
 the shoulder is well formed ; but not sufficient in depth ; the arm, 
 or upper part of the thigh should be set well forward ; the elbow 
 turned out and free from the brisket. A horse possessed of those 
 points, will seldom fail of having good action. 
 
 Figure 2. — The front view of the breast, formed for strength, 
 beauty, and action. Compare with Figure 4. 
 
 Figure 3. — The neck and shoulders badly formed ; the neck 
 being of an equal breadth and substance ; heavy and thick in the 
 shoulder ; broad on the blade ; fore legs standing too far under 
 the body ; the breast and point of the shoulder heavy, without any 
 mark of muscle. See Figure 1. 
 
 Figure 4. — Is the front view of a breast with many bad points ; 
 round and heavy in the chest, tucked up in the brisket, and legs 
 badly set on. Compare with Figure 2. 
 
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PLATE VII. 
 
 Figure 1.— Is the carcass of a horse formed for use, as well 
 as goodness of appearance. The carcass should be shaped like a 
 cask ; the hucks not too much hid in the flesh, nor yet particularly 
 prominent ; rather flat in the flank ; plenty of hard projecting muscle 
 on the thigh ; the hock should look and feel like entire bone, covered 
 with skin. 
 
 Figure 2. — Is what may be called very pretty, and perhaps be 
 useful in its way : heavy and round in the flank and thigh ; the legs 
 standing almost perpendicular. Speed or action cannot be ex- 
 pected from a horse so formed, though he may prove safe and 
 pleasant to a gentle rider, or well calculated to walk or canter on 
 the London stones. 
 
 Figure 3. — Is formed for power and speed ; particularly cal- 
 culated for hunting ; the thigh and hock well furnished, but rather 
 too much cramped, or bent, to deserve the character of beauty : but 
 animals thus shaped, almost without exception prove speedy and 
 good leapers. 
 
 Figure 4. — Is of a common, well-looking quarter, with many 
 good points, and showy ; but not likely to be famous for either 
 speed or action. 
 
PLATE VIII. 
 
 Figure 1, — Is the quarter of a horse well formed, being strong 
 and handsome, well marked with muscle and bone, and not over- 
 burthened with flesh ; but standing at too great a distance between 
 the hocks. 
 
 Figure 2. — This figure, although rather raw in the hucks, and 
 possessing a great deal of prominent bone, is still better adapted, 
 for speed and action than Figure 1 ; the hocks being nearer together, 
 but still standing straight, give him the power of quicker action 
 and longer throws in the gallop. The mare from which this was 
 taken, is a remarkably good and well-tried hunter. 
 
 Figure 3. — A horse with such a quarter as this may possibly 
 be useful, if quiet, to a timid lady or gentleman, who do not extend 
 beyond six or eight miles in one day. If well formed in other 
 parts, he may be called a very pretty, plump, and showy tit; but> 
 like many other pets, of no real use. 
 
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PLATE IX. 
 
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 The animal from which this drawing was made, is accounted 
 one of the finest figures in England ; although at the time the 
 portrait was taken, he was ten years old, and had done a great deal 
 of work, both in the field and in harness. A small head and neck 
 in a horse, are considered a great beauty ; and in the original 
 of this drawing, I think they are the least I ever saw, in propor- 
 tion to the body. 
 
 I have described this horse in the action of walking, for which 
 he is particularly famous, and have paid much attention to his 
 method of delivering the knee and foot. In walking fast he does 
 not move two legs at the same time ; for example, in lifting the 
 near leg before and the off leg behind, he raises one immediately 
 after the other, bearing the shoulder well forward before he takes 
 the foot from the ground ; and, having raised the feet, he delivers 
 the knee in the form of Figure 4 ; and the foot as Figure 2, which, 
 on a comparison with Figure 3, the Reader will find, gives the 
 animal a manifest advantage : for in the action of Figure 3, he must 
 lose much ground ; while in the action of Figure 2, his gain would 
 be equal to three inches at every step, which, in a mile, would make 
 a difference of a hundred yards — a very material consideration in 
 a match. The quarters of this animal are long, and very strong ; 
 and he delivers the hind foot well under the body, bending it at 
 the same time at the hock, and rising well in the toe, or point of 
 the foot of the standing leg. At every step in walking, and indeed 
 in all other action, the shoulder should be seen to play free ; for it 
 may be laid down as a general maxim, that a horse confined in 
 the shoulders can never have good action. 
 
PLATE X. 
 
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 THE TROT. 
 
 This pace being the only one used in harness, requires parti- 
 cular notice, as there is a great variety in this action, The an- 
 nexed plate is intended to shew the plain spanking trot, in. which 
 the horse should carry his head well up, and, when out of harness, 
 the nose pointed forward. In the step, the shoulder should be 
 thrown well out, the knee rather straight, the hoof pointed forward 
 and put to the ground, as a soldier is taught to march ; not by 
 putting the heel down first, nor the foot full on the ground ; but 
 the point of the foot should touch the ground slightly before the 
 heel, with an even motion, without a catch or jirk ; the shoulder 
 at the same time leaning well over the bearing leg, so as to make 
 the reach the longer, as in Figure 1 ; the quarter being thrown well 
 under, but not so far as to occasion an over-reach. I have heard 
 many people, who are great fanciers in trotting horses, admire 
 the wide action behind : but I am not of that opinion, as I think 
 it a great sign of weakness, and excessively awkward and ugly. 
 I have never found horses with such action able to perform long 
 journies. 
 
 If a horse were to use his fore legs in the form of Figure 2, he 
 must lose considerably in ground, and be liable to trip and fall at 
 any little roughness in the road, and must lose in speed by deliver- 
 ing the hind foot as Figure 3. 
 
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PLATE XI. 
 
 THE RUNNING TROT. 
 
 Most of our very best trotters have this action, which, in some 
 degree, is between the trot and gallop ; it is a very easy pace for 
 the rider, but very deficient in elegance. The pace is neither fit 
 for carriage nor gig. 
 
 The subject from which this plate was taken, is very finely 
 formed for strength and action ; the legs are delivered in the same 
 way as in the plain trot ; but much faster and nearer the ground, 
 and with a sort of scramble, far from pleasing to the eye. As in 
 the plain trot, the shoulder should be thrown well forward, so that 
 in a side view it should hide the breast. Compare the shoulder 
 of Figure 1 with that of Figure 2. 
 
PLATE XII. 
 
 THE CANTERER, or LADIES' HORSE. 
 
 The horse selected for this purpose should be particularly 
 tight in the head' and neck ; the play or springing appearance of 
 the head giving great beauty to this action. The horse from which 
 this drawing was made, is pretty and showy, without having the 
 power of any thing like speed or good action ; the buttocks round, 
 •without any show of muscle ; tight in the hocks and legs ; although 
 short and strong in the pastern, his legs are not well able to carry 
 his carcass. 
 
 This description of horse, in the horse-dealer's hands, is very 
 apt to please and catch the attention of a person not much in the 
 habit of purchasing. I never had but one of this sort in my pos- 
 session, which I bought during a lameness occasioned by an acci- 
 dent in hunting. He was, like the present subject, very showy, 
 and by most people called handsome : but the first journey I took 
 him, a distance of only eighteen miles, he performed with such 
 extreme difficulty in three hours, that I never chose to mount him 
 again. When any horse has power of speed and action, the play 
 or movement of the bones and muscles is perceptible. The horse 
 round and puffed in the quarter, very seldom has strength or speed. 
 Compare with Figures 2 and 3. The hock, which is flat and 
 straight underneath, must be deficient in strength. 
 

 
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PLATE XIII. 
 
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 THE GALLOP. 
 
 In the race horse the necessary points differ from the hunter 
 and road horse. In the first place, he is not got so much up in the 
 forehand, which makes a great difference in the appearance. 
 The ewe-necked horses, are in general speedy, although this qua- 
 lification is by no means amiable for any other purpose. It is 
 commonly supposed that length in the pastern is indispensable in 
 the race horse ; but this opinion appears to me to be very erroneous, 
 except as it regards a light weight and a short course. I have 
 taken notice that the best horses of the present day are well formed, 
 and strong in the legs. In full action the leg should be thrown 
 well out, with a quick stroke, rather near the ground than otherwise. 
 All the legs should point straight forward, and appear to act with 
 ease to themselves. If a horse should rock, that is, throw his 
 quarters from one side to the other, he never can be speedy : he 
 should seem to glide over the surface of the ground, without any 
 symptoms of violent action. Horses vary greatly in the gather, or 
 method of bringing their legs together after being well opened in 
 the reach. If he makes the stride too far, it will oblige him to 
 throw up his back like a hog to form the gather. Any action 
 varying from a direct line forward, must impede his progress. 
 All horses should gallop nearly on the same principle ; but it is 
 necessary that military horses and dashing roadsters should raise 
 themselves more on their haunches, and, as it is commonly called, 
 fight a little more with their forehand. 
 
PLATE XIV. 
 
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 THE HUNTER'S GALLOP. 
 
 The hunter, although he may be thorough bred, is obliged to 
 go through deep and heavy grounds, which will occasion him to 
 use a different method of galloping. It is not necessary that he 
 should lay himself out in the reach like the race horse ; if he did, 
 -the difficulty he would find in gathering himself again, would knock 
 him up in ten minutes ; or, at any rate, would greatly distress him, 
 and disqualify him for a long day. His strokes should be short 
 and regular, not throwing himself much off the balance. The 
 hunter should also have the immediate power of extending or 
 diminishing his length of stride : for until the horse can accomplish 
 this part of his business, he never can make a good leaper, much 
 more a safe one. Having myself been much in the habit of riding- 
 young and violent horses with fox-hounds, I am well acquainted 
 with the great difficulty and danger there is in leaping them before 
 they are possessed of this power and knowledge. 
 
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PLATE XV. 
 
 LEAPING. 
 
 Steady leaping, and to do it well, is more difficult for 
 a horse to acquire than any other sort. As I mentioned under 
 the head of Hunting, the horse should be fully competent to the 
 task of measuring his ground ; the quarters should be thrown well 
 under him at the last stride, so that he can form a centre to his 
 weight on his hind feet when he is at full rise, and be able in a 
 standing leap to keep that balance, until he feels able to make his 
 throw or spring ; and at the moment he opens his fore legs, the 
 hind ones should be caught quite under the body : for in slow and 
 steady leaps, it is almost impossible for the horse to extend his legs 
 behind and leap with that safety which he can when gathered 
 together ; for instance, in double leaps where the horse is not able 
 to see on the other side, which is very often the case, by throwing 
 his quarters under him, the animal has the power to renew his leap 
 with safety. 
 
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PLATE XVI, 
 
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 LEAPING. 
 
 The fall or pitch, where there are double ditch fences and 
 fences ditch from you, requires particular attention. It appears to 
 me, that more falls are occasioned by the want of knowledge 
 of this action of leaping on the part of the horse, than by any 
 other description of ignorance or mistake. As soon as the spring 
 is made, as mentioned in Plate XV., the hind legs should be 
 so thrown over the fence, as to give a fine purchase, and the horse 
 ought to appear to have almost the power of retracting his leap, if 
 necessary. This shews confidence in the horse ; and although I 
 have heard many sportsmen declare that this confidence frequently 
 tends to make the animal a short leaper, from many circumstances 
 which have come within my own knowledge, I am clearly of opinion, 
 that the assertion is not borne out by the fact. In my judgment, 
 confidence will give the animal the power to direct his fore-feet to 
 any point he may desire within his compass; and for his own safety, 
 he will always cover enough space, unless prevented by his rider, 
 which frequently occurs. In all cases where the leap is difficult,, so 
 as to require care and knowledge in the horse, instead of courage 
 or rashness, there cannot be a doubt that the animal ouo-ht to be 
 left to his own discretion, without being fettered by any supposed 
 assistance on the part of the rider. 
 
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PLATE XVII. 
 
 THE BUCKING LEAP. 
 
 This leap is similar to the action of the deer ; and the horse, 
 in the performance of it, displays a very grand and prepossessing 
 appearance. There ought to be a great distinction between the 
 action of the animal in this leap, and in that which I before des- 
 cribed : for although I have just remarked on the propriety of the 
 horse gathering his quarters under him, I do not consider this rule 
 as applicable to the fly leap. It is but rarely indeed that any but 
 very hot horses follow this method, which certainly is not a good 
 one. In the first place, the action itself requires great exertion, 
 both on the part of the rider and the horse, an effort which is not at 
 all calculated for, endurance : secondly, it is very dangerous, as the 
 horse addicted to it seldom knows whence to spring, or to take off 
 from, or how to measure his leap ; and it very often occurs that the 
 animal, having his head cleaving the air, entirely forgets to put his 
 fore-legs down to the ground, and consequently he comes bolt on 
 his knees and chest. I rode a mare of this description for two sea- 
 sons ; she was four years old, and excessively violent, although a 
 powerful leaper, as to height aud distance. For the first season I 
 had four or five falls a day upon an average, and all in consequence 
 of her violent bucking leaps. 
 
PLATE XVIII. 
 
 THE FLY LEAP. 
 
 To compass this mode of leaping, it is necessary that the 
 horse should be possessed of great strength and courage : for here 
 the horse springs from all four legs at the same time, at least so 
 near, that the difference is not perceptible. The fore legs should 
 be tucked tight under the body, the hind ones thrown as high and 
 as far out as possible : to hunt in a country where such fences are 
 used as the double timber fence, ditch between, it requires a 
 horse well qualified ; for to get ou with any speed, the leaps 
 must be made at once. I have been heartily tired even to see the 
 trouble and patience it requires to perform the in and out. For 
 river leaping the same action is necessary, but it is not necessary 
 that the legs should be so much gathered. 
 
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