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Horse Pictures - Quarters

Antique pictures of horses

Taken from:

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 - 1816

Notes accompanying this plate

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 hocks should look and feel like entire bone covered in skin.

Figure 2 - Is what might 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 expected from a horse so formed, though he may prove, safe and pleasant to a gentle rider, or well calculated to walk and canter on the London stones.

Figure 3 - Is formed for power and speed; particularly calculated 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.

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

First page of 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."

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