The London Encyclopaedia, 1829
I found this beautiful illustration in the London Encyclopaedia and thought I would share. I have ridden horses, but that is about the extent of my horsey knowledge…so I found this depiction quite helpful in illuminating the difference between hunters, race horses and cart horses. I know its probably missing some elements, but nonetheless for us visual learners I thought it was a great primary resource!
It looks as though one could see the ribs on the race horse.
Many of the race horses were descended from the Foundation Sires Arabian. The ones breeding race horses wee the most careful of pedigree. The rejects were sent to be hacks . Hunters had to be bred differently from races are different conformation was needed . Race horses were more like sprinters while hunters were more like marathoners. The cart horses had to have stamina but not much speed. There were also differences between carriage horses, and those like Clydesdales which pulled really heavy fargons.. Cutting off their tails made it difficult for the horses to brush away flies etc.
Thanks for these.