CHAP. VH. 



ON THE NECK. 



THE handsomest neck Is that which rises 

 regularly from the withers upwards, and which, 

 a little more than half way toward the ears, 

 forms a curve, with a bold crest, until it ends 

 close to the head, forming nearly an horizontal 

 line. The smaller the upper part of the neck, 

 the greater the beauty, and the horse exhibits 

 more blood. When the hair of the mane is 

 long and light, inclining to a natural curl, and 

 the flesh hard and muscular, it indicates a good 

 spirit. The neck, however, must not be too 

 thin, nor seem as if it were too small and die- 

 proportioned to the body of a horse; — this ij 

 a sign of weakness: neither should it be too 

 long, or too short; if the former, it also, indi- 

 cates weakness and delicacy; and unless the 

 animal carries his forehand well up, he will 

 droop his head when tired. A short, stiff and 

 c 



