THE HORSE. 703 



To some, this kind of examination may seem tedious and laborious, and to the inexperi 

 enced horseman it may be so ; but the horseman of taste, with a practiced eye, will determine 

 the freedom of an animal from the objections we have referred to in a small fraction of the 

 time it has taken us to describe them. 



We have said nothing upon those subjects that are merely matters of taste, as to enter 

 into a discussion of them would occupy more space than we could devote to it. 



One wishes a horse that shall have a bold, resolute style of action, and a high temper 

 that prompts him to keep a constant and heavy pull upon the reins. Another wishes a horse 

 of less spirit, with a quiet, pleasant temper, and a mouth that only feels the bit, that is never 

 restless, never pulls, and so gentle that his wife and children can manage him. Yet he does 

 not want a dull, stupid animal; on the contrary, one that is bright and lively, and that when 

 gently urged will move off at a lively pace. 



One wants a horse that is round and smooth, with soft hair, a beautiful color, and a 

 proud, showy style, that will attract the admiration of his neighbors, but cares little about its 

 speed upon the road, or its powers of endurance, while his next-door neighbor cares far 

 less for the showy style and the beautiful color, and values his horse solely on account of his 

 useful qualities. In short, no rules can be laid down that will determine the excellence of 

 the animal in these respects, as so much depends upon the precise service which is demanded 

 of him, and the taste of the purchaser. 



Although people differ much in their opinion as to the color, style of movement, etc., of 

 their carriage-horses, yet the anxiety to own a free, nimble driver, is nearly universal, and 

 might almost be styled a national characteristic. 



But the passion for horses is co-extensive with man s acquaintance with them, and is con 

 fined to no nation, no portion of the human family; indeed, there are comparatively few 

 persons who take no interest in his history, no pleasure in training or using him. 



Other animals may be as useful to man, but they do not so lay hold of human affections 

 and sympathies. He is at once his companion and servant in his long and weary journeys. 

 With the same patience and unflinching courage, he carries his rider safely over the scorch 

 ing sands of the desert, or treads with careful step the icy footpaths of the mountains. He 

 waits with silent patience his master s pleasure, and moves only at his bidding. Heat and 

 cold do not shake his courage, hunger and thirst do not drive him to rebellion. The sooth 

 ing sound of his master s voice stills his restlessness when he wishes him to be quiet, and the 

 cheering, encouraging tones of the same voice rouse him to the noblest efforts to do his will.&quot; 



Thorough-Bred. This is a term that is often improperly used in connection with 

 horses. Technically, it means, when properly applied, that the animal s pedigree can be 

 traced back to the East, or rather, that he is of a breed derived from a Barb or Arabian 

 ancestry. 



English juries have frequently decided that a horse that is warranted thorough-bred is 

 returnable, if any defect can be traced in his pedigree, or, in other words, if it can be proven 

 that his pedigree is not directly traceable, on the side of both sire and dam, to imported Barb 

 or Arabian stock. This, then, is the technical meaning of the term, and proves that in this 

 sense there can properly be but one breed of horses designated as thorough-breds. It is the 

 oldest and purest breed in existence, and is noted for speed, endurance, strength, energy, and 

 courage. The genealogy of this race of horses has been carefully recorded in a stud-book for 

 nearly a hundred years, and the records of their achievements upon the race-course, both in 

 this country and Europe, are the most noted in the history of the horse. They were intro 

 duced into this country at a very early period, and so frequent have been the importations 

 of the choicest animals of this type, that they are identical with those of the old country. A 

 leading authority thus describes the thorough-bred: 



&quot; All running horses are of this breed, and none but thorough-breds can make a credit- 

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