6i 



Roan horses are not numerous, but arc 

 generally possessed of excellent qualities. — - 

 Nature in her capriciousness hn« given various 

 colours of hair and complexion to mankind, 

 and to animals of every description. There is 

 a great deal of expression in the hair, and its 

 colour in a great degree determines the charac- 

 ter and disposition of men, as well as horses 

 snd other animals. 



I cannot close tliis chapter without adverting 

 to the opinions of the Duke of Newcastle and 

 a variety of other writers on horses, who seem 

 to ridicule the idea of taking the colour into 

 consideration in determining their good or bad 

 qualities. They must indeed have been super- 

 ficial observers of horses who have not disco- 

 vered how much the colour of horses, generally 

 speaking, indicates their spirit, durability, and 

 value. Every farrier v/eli knows that white 

 legs and white feet always have soft hoofs, and 

 are unable to keep the shoes. In the human 

 race, white hair denotes a feeble constitution; 

 auburn, brov/n, and tlie darker shades, indi- 

 cate hardiness and strength. "White cocks are 

 not esteemed by sportsmen, as they are tender, 

 and never hght well; and the breeders of cat- 



