OUTWARD APPEARANCE OP THE HORSE. 93 



head, and yet look straight forward. The temporal bones at the side o( 

 the eyes, and the occipital bone at the top of the head between the eais, 

 are prominent. The nostrils and lips are large and flexible, and if one 

 could turn back the folds of the nostrils at the ends, we might see a moist 

 and healthy inside surface. In the living head corresponding to the fig- 

 ure, all this would be apparent. 



If we examine the side and front views of the heads shown on the 

 opposite page, the side view at the top indicates a head somewhat heavy, 

 with the nose and lower jaw too thick. The nose swells out above the 

 nostrils. The face is not dished, but is depressed. The eyes ure bright, 

 but with a somewhat wild expression. The eyebrows are prominent; and 

 the head broad. The ears are thrown back, and the muzzle is cruel in its 

 expression. Tlie head is set on the neck at too great an angle. The 

 expression, as a whole, is indeed that of anintellig^'nt and spirited horse, 

 but it is the intelligence of malice, and th. spirit of self-will. 



In the front view, it will be seen that the eyes are too close together, 

 and are in the front of the head rather than the sides. The ars are 

 pointed close together and backward, as though the animal only ^\ anted the 

 chance to do mischief. The face is full of strong lines, but not smooth 

 ones. They are those of a stubborn animal that may do as you wish, if 

 he cannot or dare not do otherwise. 



The next figure to the right shows not only a cruel, but a stupid 

 expression. There is alack of intelligence, A/hich, in the horse, means 

 spirit, courageous docility, and a generous desire to do the will of a kind 

 master. While this head does not show particularly bad form, yet the 

 general expression, drooping ears, and the dull eye, show less character 

 than the average horse should possess. 



There is yet another form, and a worse one. It is shown at the bottom 

 of the page. Here we have self-willed obstinacy, and a wild, sulky dis- 

 position. The profile is curved, giving a Roman nose, and the eyebrows 

 are raised, indicating self-will and wildness. The firm jaw and lower face 

 are cruel. It is a face that never goes with a horse safe to drivi single, 

 or to ride, except in the hands of one who is perfectly master of himself, 

 and at the same time, always watchful and firm. Thus we might go on 

 describing all the peculiarities of temper down through nervous timidity, 

 as shown by the thin, clean face, the cowardly head, the idiotic, and even 

 the head showing evidences of insanity ; for that there are horses subject to 

 hallucinations, aberrations of mind, and even actual insanity, there is no 

 doubt. The cowardly, the vicious, and the idiotic horse is never safc: 

 The aberrant and the insane horse is always dangerous, even to the 

 most practiced horseman, since neither caresses nor punishment avail. 

 They will run their "muck" at any hazard. 



