rONFOTI^fATIOX. 453 



e firoiilation, which ap;;iin Is dependent on the vij^nur of tlie const i- 

 I. If tlie cireuhition be weak there will he a want of tone throu<:;h- 

 le body producino: the weakness or washiness of colour to which we 

 :. This weakness will of course he felt especially in the extremities, 



are furthest removed from the centre of the circulation, 

 lether this explanation be correct or not, it is certain that horses, 

 ! colour fails in the extremities, are generally weak in constitution, 

 ? the common saying, ""Washy in colour, washy in constitution." 



934. Coni^titiition. 



;ood Constitution generally accompanies a powerful frame ; hut this 

 invariably the case either in horses or men ; and a powerful frame 



ed scarcely say is not of much use without a good constitution. 



lie horses apparently well made are yet so highly nei'vous, that they 



lever carry flesh. Others, again, with the best appearance some- 

 deceive us from want of spirit and pluck. We cannot always ex- 



these things. 



ny a horse, however, may l)e dull and sluggish, when in poor condi- 



which may be a very ditferent animal when Avell fed and cared for. 



general rule, unless a horse is naturally a good feeder, we cannot 

 much of him. 



935. Broeilliirj. 



■eding or '" blood " exercises a mysterious influence in the horse, 

 y allied with it is nervous organisation. It may l)e, perhaps, that 

 ell-recognised effects of breeding are really more dependent on the 

 than on Ijlood. In the high-bred animal the thought almost of 

 der, the slight feeling of the hand or leg is conveyed to the horse ; 

 the under-bred animal is verj' slow in receiving any such impres- 

 I'^ndurance and courage are also notable characteristics of the 

 red horse ; whilst a lazy sluggish feeling and a desire to save him- 

 lark the under-bred animal. A good thorough-bred horse will go 

 i drops. A low-l)red animal will always stop in good time. The 

 may think that he has urged him by whip and spur to the utmost 

 t of his power ; l)ut on a visit to his stable a few hours after, he will 

 bly find that the brute shows no great signs of having over-exerted 

 If. A high-bred horse fights against difficulties, whilst the other 

 to them. A high-com-aged horse, when he comes to a hill, will 

 t and pull harder than on level ground. On a downward slope he 

 n-obably not care to exert himself. The low-bred animal may 

 ps show a disposition to increase his pace downhill, but will '' shut 

 ■t a stiff ascent. The well-l)red horse will go as pleasantly and gaily 

 ! end as at the beginning of a long day ; whilst the other, though 

 ay very likely be troublesome and fractious at the onset, will pro- 

 require both whip and spur to keep him to his work. 

 [• best-bred horse/; are derived from an admixture of Arab blood. 

 English '■ thorough-bred " is not of pure Arabian stock. Arab sires 



