VOLUME AND GENERAL ASPECT OF THE HEAD 



37 



in the latter, which is known as the plain or fleshi/ head (iig. 27). Here 

 the skin is thick, coarse, and united with the parts beneath by a large 

 amount of connective tissue which liides the Ijony lines and prominences 

 beneath, rounds otl' the face, and gives to the head as a whole a heavy 

 and fleshy appearance. This type of head is associated with animals of 

 a dull, lymphatic temperament and low cast. 



VOLUME AND GENERAL ASPECT OF THE HEAD 



Li this, as in other respects, harmony of proportion is the point of 

 excellence to be desired, Avhether it be in the heavy or the lighter breeds 

 of horses. Deviations in this respect, however, are not equally objection- 

 able in the two classes. A large head in the hunter or the hack would 

 not only render an animal unsightly, but by displacing the centre of 

 gravity forward, predispose to stumbling, and impose upon the fore -limbs 

 an undue amount of weight and wear. These objections do not apply 

 to the slow -moving draught- horse, whose powers of traction depend 

 upon the amount of force he can bring to bear upon the collar. Here a 

 large head, if not so agreeable to look at, would be rather an advantage 

 than otherwise, not only because of 

 its extra weight, but because of the 

 larger surface of attachment it would 

 afford those muscles that assist in 

 fixing the front part of the body 

 in the act of pulling. 



The size of tlie head may deviate 

 in proportion either in the direction 

 of excess or deficiency. When the 

 dimensions of length, width, and 

 depth are all in excess the head is 

 said to be large or coarse. This 

 condition results more especially from 



an undue development of the bony framework. It may not, however, be 

 altogether thus caused, but may, in some measure, be due to an exceptional 

 thickness of the skin and superabundance of connective tissue intervening 

 between it and the underlying bones. Li the latter case the head has 

 a heavy look, rounded and fleshy in appearance, and the bony lines and 

 prominences, as well as the nerves and blood-vessels, so conspicuous in 

 well-bred horses, are altogether obscured. Animals of this class are 

 usually low-bred, soft, and wanting in endurance. In point of size the 

 head should accurately fit the body, or if it departs at all from the 



Fig. -27.— Fleshy Head 



