COLOR. 413 



sorrel, usually with some white, either on the face or the legs — 

 generally lightly made, yet some of them bulky enough for the 

 heaviest loads. Tlieir color is generally objectionable, and thcv 

 are supposed to be somewhat deficient in eiubirance. 



Tiie light chestnut, with less red and a little more bay or brown, 

 is considered a preferable animal, especially if he has little or no 

 white about him ; yet even he, although pleasant to ride, is some- 

 times irritable, and generally weak. We must except one variety, 

 the Suiiblk punch ; a heavy horse, and adapted ibr slow work, 

 but perfect of his kind — whom no labor can daunt, no fatigue 

 overcome. This is a breed now, imibrtunately, nearly extinct. 

 The present variety, however crossed, is not equal to the old 

 Suffolk. 



The dark chestnut is as different a horse from the hackney-like 

 chestnut as can be well imagined ; round in the carcase ; pow- 

 erful in the quarters, but rather fine in the legs ; possessed of 

 great endurance, and with a constitution that rarely knows an 

 ailment, except that the feet are small and disposed to contrac- 

 tion, and the horse is occasionally of a hot and unmanageable 

 temper. 



Of the bays, there are many varieties, and they include the 

 very best of our horses of every description. The bright yellow 

 bay, although very beautiful, and especially if his mane and tail 

 are black, is the least valuable — the lightness of" his color seems 

 to give him some tenderness of constitution. The pure bay, with 

 no white about him, and black from the knees and hocks to the 

 feet, is the most desirable of all. He has generally a good con- 

 stitution, and good feet ; and, if his conformation is not faulty, 

 will turn out a valuable horse for almost eveiy purpose. 



The bay-brown has not always so much show and action, buf, 

 generally, more strength and endurance, and usefulness. He has 

 greater substance than the lighter bay, and more depth of leg ; 

 and, if he had the same degree of breeding, he would be as hand- 

 some and more valuable. 



When, however, we arrive at the browns, it is necessary to 

 examine the degree of breeding. This color is not so fashionable, 

 and therefore these horses have been considerably neglected. 

 There are many good ones, and those that are good are val. 

 uable ; others, probably, are only half or a quarter bred, and 

 therefore comparatively coarse, yet useful for the saddle and for 

 harness — for slow Avork, and, occasionally, for that which is more 

 rapid. 



The black-brown is generally more neglected so far as its breed 

 is concerned, and should be more carefulh' examined. It is val- 

 uable if it retains the goodness of constitution of the brown and 

 bay-brown. 



