THE SKELETON. 65 



immaterial, and only of importance for the recogni- 

 tion of the breed, or the character of the animal, 

 but, on the other hand, fancy, or the reigning style, 

 is entirely decisive, viz : considering at times a 

 very small head, at other times a big head and a 

 Eoman nose as the prettiest. A big head is certainly 

 not beautiful, but does by no means diminish the 

 usefulness of the horse. If supported by a well 

 set-up neck and powerful neck muscles, it will not 

 fall so heavy upon the hand, as is generally believed. 



With the neck it is different ; set-up low on a 

 straight shoulder, it will be carried low and flabby, 

 and together with the head will overburden the 

 fore hand. Especially, for the saddle-horse, is the 

 formation and connection of the neck of deciding 

 importance, and many an honest horse has been 

 ruined by ignorant horse-breakers on account of 

 insurmountable difficulties of the neck. 



An old custom, to draw conclusions on the quali- 

 ties of a horse from the sharpness and firmness of 

 the crest, may be mentioned here. The thickness 

 of the fat layer, on which the sharpness of the crest 

 principally depends, justifies a conclusion on the 

 more or less firm texture of the other formations of 

 the body. Firm textures is the inheritance of 

 the nobler breeds. They also possess the dry, 

 firm crest, the thin skin exhibiting the veins and 



