Horse Pictures - The Canterer or Lady's Horse

The Beauties and Defects in the Figure of the Horse

Delineated in a Series of Coloured Plates

by H. Alken

Published in London by S. and J. Fuller at the Temple of Fancy, 34 Rathbone Place

The Canterer or Lady's 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-dealers 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 possession, which I bought during a lameness occasioned by an accident 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 and movement of the bones and muscles is perceptible. The horse round and puffed in the quarter very seldom has strength or speed. Compare Figure 2 and 3. The hock, which is flat and straight underneath, must be deficient in strength.

The picture above is an illustrated plate from the 1816 publication, the inside title page of which is reproduced here along with the introduction to the book

"By a detailed series of graphic and descriptive illustrations, it is the intention of the Author of this Work to show the good and bad points in that most useful and noble animal the Horse. He has adopted the mode of detaching various parts of the subject, because, by comparison of the distinct appearances, the general impression upon the memory of the reader is much 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 gentleman of the turf, and to young purchasers; for it is generally considered, that to timid riders and drivers, the temper of the beast is of more consequence than any 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 principles 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 fairly elucidated in the following series."