COLOL'R OF THE HAIR 299 



table tempers. Tliej are, however, considered rather con- 

 stitutionally weak. The dark chestnut possesses a finelj- 

 moulded form, with well-rounded quarters, although the legs 

 have a tendency to be rather fine. This horse is capable of 

 great endurance, and possesses a healthy constitution. His 

 temper will be found fiery and high. Small feet are fre- 

 quently met with accompanying this colour, and which are 

 generally disposed to contraction. 



Snow-white horses are nov^ seldom to be met with, 

 although at one time they were very common ; I mean, 

 those which are white in their earliest years ; as light grey 

 animals soon become white, especially those which have 

 dark-coloured joints. 



The silver-grey is now not common, but they are in 

 general high-bred, and of undoubted descent from the 

 Arabian or Barb. Their height seldom exceeds fourteen 

 and a half hands ; (which is the ordinary size of their pro- 

 genitors ;) with a v/ell-rounded body, firmly knit, light legs, 

 oblique pasterns, and high shoulders. They are active and 

 fleet, fitted for hard work, and possessing excellent health. 

 Their action and appearance peculiarly fit them for the use 

 of the ladies. 



The iron-grey is a larger horse than the above, generally 

 higher in the withers, with a thinner body, flatter chest, 

 and more angular in all his proportions, with his legs often 

 too long. They are showy horses, and well adapted for a 

 carriage. In some instances they make good hunters, and 

 are useful as roadsters, being capable of greater endurance 

 than would be expected from the flatness of their chests. 

 They are, however, found often to have a tendency to 

 contraction of the feet, and hence lameness. 



The dappled grey is usually a well-formed and active 

 horse, and divested of all the angular points which charac- 



