90 THE HORSE. 
tution. Sometimes, it is true, the two are not combined, and now and 
then we meet with a very good feeder and robust animal with shallow 
back-ribs ; but the rule may be considered to be as I have stated it, and 
the purchaser will do well to attend to it in making his selection, when 
he knows nothing of the character of the individual. For fast road-work, 
where the failure of the legs is generally the limit to the amount of work, 
a very heavy carcase is an objection, as it increases the weight upon them ; 
and an overtopped harness-horse—that is, one with a body too big for his 
legs—is a most worthless brute ; but in the thoroughbred there is seldom 
this formation, and the tendency is, on the other hand, to be too light in 
the flank, rather than too deep. A light-carcased or herring-cutted horse 
when “set” for the race-course or the fast hunting country looks cut in 
two, and his performances generally correspond with his appearance. 
PROJECTING FORWARD with a beautiful sweep, the neck comes out of the 
chest in this kind of horse with a most elegant outline. Of a greater 
length than in any other, it is also proportionally thin ; but both these 
dimensions may easily be exaggerated, a very long and thin neck being 
objectionable, and rarely corresponding with good wind. The lines re- 
semble greatly those of the neck of the gamecock ; and when there is a 
decided angle about three or four inches from the jaw, the horse is said to 
be “ cock-throppled,” and it is then generally supposed that he is more 
than usually liable to become a roarer or a whistler. The curve of this 
part a good deal depends upon the breaking and subsequent riding, 
different hands producing a great variation in the carriage; but if the 
bones are so formed and connected together that the natural curve has its 
concavity upwards, it is almost impossible to produce a proper bend in 
the other direction, though still much may be accomplished by perse- 
verance. <A “ewe neck,” as this is called, is very objectionable on this 
account ; but it is very often combined with speed, fine action, and great 
gameness. More depends upon the junction between the head and neck, 
than upon the latter in itself, for by long-continued perseverance, it may be 
made so supple as to bend at the rider’s will; but if the jaws are toa 
narrow to allow the head to bend upon the neck, no means that can be 
applied will make any impression, and the result is that the mouth is 
spoiled, and frequently the temper also. A large and free windpipe, that 
is, one of sufficient diameter for the passage of air, and not tied down by 
any bands of fascia, will be necessary for good wind; and this point 
should specially be examined. 
IN THE HEAD is contained the organ of intelligence, which is also the 
chief seat of that nervous energy which animates the whole body. Here 
also are the eyes, and the external apertures of the breathing apparatus ; 
so that the form of this part of the body is of great importance. Size is 
power, and, ceteris paribus, a large brain is to be regarded as a most 
valuable adjunct. Hence the head should be wide above the eyes, as well 
as between the ears, and somewhat full or projecting in the forehead also, 
in order to give lodgment to a brain of good volume. It is the great 
development of this organ in the thoroughbred and his Eastern relations, 
that gives the extraordinary stoutness and fire for which they are so 
remarkable ; and therefore a horse of this breed deficient in volume ot 
brain will be found in these respects no better than his low bred rivals. 
In every other part, the weight should be reduced to the minimum neces- 
sary for carrying on the functions peculiar to it, save only the eye, a very 
small one being generally found to be prone to disease. The thorough- 
bred horse has a beautifully full and gazelle-like eye; but in this organ 
