STUD BOOK. Od 



among his class. There are instances of horses being 

 endowed with perfect symmetry, great power, and the most 

 exquisite action, all of which is of no avail, because they do 

 not also possess the energy to give effect to those good qual- 

 ities. 



This subject affords a very expansive field for observation, 

 although it is one which breeders seldom take into considera- 

 tion. It is the presence of an equivalent portion of nervous 

 excitability of the brain and nervous system, influencing the 

 muscles of locomotion with physical power, which combine 

 to establish the perfection of endurance. If the nervous ex- 

 citability be in excess, and the animal is gifted with good 

 action, speed will be his/b?*fe. This is manifest, because the 

 exciting energies of the nervous system exhaust the muscular 

 powers too quickly to enable the animal to continue beyond 

 a short distance. If again those proportions of nervous ex- 

 citability be slightly wanting, and the horse has a powerful 

 muscular conformation, his energies may be aroused to a 

 certain extent by artificial means. Here much discrimination 

 in the rider is necessary, otherwise the object is defeated. 

 But if with great muscular power the nervous energies are 

 extremely deficient, the animal will be of little value. This 

 may to some extent afford a reason why very large horses are 

 seldom very good ones. The two essentials, the will and the 

 power, must exist in all horses which perform extraordinary 

 feats. The most competent judges are not able to decide 

 upon the merits of a horse until those merits are tried. A 

 moderately experienced person can determine if the essential 

 points, such as the shoulders, back, loins, and quarters are in 

 conformity with the generally acknowledged opinions of 

 symmetry; he can tell also the animal being in working con- 

 dition, if he shows a fine development of muscle and sinew; 

 and the action will afford a fair criterion whereby to judge if 

 the muscles, sinews, and levers be proportioned to each other; 

 but no one can tell whether the horse possesses the energetic 

 wih 1 to put all his powers into effect until he is tried, for 

 whatever purpose he may be adapted. To convey evidence 

 upon this point the head is the most important organ. In 

 favorable cases the contours are agreeably traced, the lines 

 are most beautifully developed, with a fine expressive eye, 

 full of vigor and energy. But these signs may be fallacious; 

 they may indicate a choleric, fiery temper, impatient of reason- 

 able control, which will occasion the speedy prostration of the 

 muscular system. At the same time that a neat, light, well- 

 formed head, may generally be considered as indicating supe- 





