198 HEAD AND NECK. 



up " in the head. As far as I can see, their position 

 varies but Uttle in the horse. In the mountain zebra 

 (Fig. 310) they are set rather low down. 



The bones on the sides of the nose are prominent in 

 youth, but gradually " fall in " with age, on account of 

 the roots of the back teeth, which are lodged in them, 

 descending lower and lower as the animal grows older. 

 This change in the form of the nose will serve to indi- 

 cate, to some extent, the age of the horse. 



Size of Brain. — Without entering into any physio- 

 logical argument, we may assume that, as a rule, size of 

 brain is an indication of brain power. According to the 

 classic idea entertained by writers on equine conformation, 

 a large development of brain is a desirable " point " in the 

 horse. Thus we read in Achat du Cheval, by Gayot, that : 

 " The more voluminous is the brain, the larger is the 

 spinal cord, proportionate to the size of which are the 

 nerves that issue from it. It is thus that a large forehead, 

 denoting a high degree of intelligence, is the index of a 

 good nervous system — ^that is to say, of high mental and 

 physical qualities." As regards this, I would suggest 

 a doubt respecting the connection claimed between " high 

 mental and physical qualities." It did not exist among 

 the ancient gladiators, nor does it in our modern 

 prize-fighters and pedestrians. Although the bull-dog 

 and greyhound are respectively stronger and faster for 

 their size than the poodle and collie, they are certainly 

 not more intelligent. A long acquaintance with horses 

 — especially that acquired during m}^ horse-breaking 

 tours — convinces me that a comparatively high degree 

 of mental (^i.e. reasoning) power is not desirable in a 

 horse ; because it is apt to make him impatient of control 

 by man. A jibber in harness, or a refuser in the hunting 

 field, when the vice has not been induced by pain or 

 infirmity, such as galled shoulders or weak hocks, usually 

 " balks " because " he knows too much." or at least 



