112 COLOR. 



of colors is passing away, and it will only be remembered by 

 such jingles as : 



" One white foot, buy him ; 

 Two white feet, try him ; 

 Three white feet, spy him ; 

 Four white feet, do without him ; 

 Four white feet and a white nose, 

 Cut off his head and give him to the crows." 



That preference and prejudices regarding color exist to- 

 day there is no question, but they are determined by fashion 

 rather than upon any belief that the character and constitu- 

 tion are indicated by the number of white feet or the exist- 

 ence of a snip. However, as the strength of the color is 

 thought to be dependent upon the circulation of the blood, 

 horsemen are partial to deep colored coats, and for the same 

 reason dislike horses whose coats become " washy" (light at 

 the extremities). Another point regarding color, reasonably 

 considered more seriously by hackmen, draymen and farmers 

 than by the private owner, is the greater ability of dark 

 horses to withstand the effects of heat, a fact readily ex- 

 plained, as it is well known that light colored objects absorb 

 and give out heat more slowly than dark ones which absorb 

 and radiate heat rapidly. Dark coated horses are cooled by 

 the rapid condensation of the vapor thrown off, while 

 light colored coats, though a little longer in feeling the effects 

 of the sun, receive proportionately less relief. 



White and gray horses are unpopular with both owners 

 and stable servants. With the former on account of the 

 loose hairs being more noticeable on the clothes and robes 

 when the horse is shedding; and with the latter (the ser- 

 vants) owing to the extra work occasioned by the coat 

 becoming stained. 



