THE POINTS OF THE HORSE, ETC. 3I 



black, and recourse must again be had to the hair of the muzzle to 

 determine which is correct. As with bay, brown, to be a good colour, 

 should tend to become black towards the feet. 



Blacky though a particularly attractive colour when it carries a sheen. Black, 

 and the animal is in condition, is not, perhaps, so much esteemed as bay 

 or brown. It is not now so common among our own horses as imported 

 ones, and this, together with the fact that a rusty black or one out of 

 condition always catches the eye at once, may account for the want of 

 appreciation. It is uncommon among thorough-breds and Arabs, and 

 extremely common in Belgium. 



Chestnuts may vary in colour from a dark, liver which approaches Chestnuts, 

 brown, to a light, washy which is to be avoided. It is not usually found as 

 a whole colour except in the Suffolk punch, and there is often a tendency 

 for the white markings of the face and legs to become exaggerated. The 

 colour is also very generally believed to be associated with a tear-away, 

 headstrong disposition, and there is no doubt that some, especially those 

 with much white about them, are impetuous and excitable ; on the other 

 hand very many of the best horses are chestnuts, and so, perhaps, it may 

 be only when the colour is conspicuous that it attracts attention. 



Diin^ varying from a mouse colour to a golden dun, is considered good Dun. 

 for hard work, and sound constitution, especially when found with black 

 points. Mule markings, down the back and across the shoulder, and ^ 

 zebra stripes across the arms and thighs, are generally well marked on 

 animals of this colour. It is not common in English horses, but is 

 frequently met with in India. 



Greys are not usually purchased for remounts, as they are conspicuous 

 against almost any background, but before rejecting a good horse for 

 immediate service one should remember that they only get white with 

 age, many being so dark when young as to look almost black, and yearly 

 becoming whiter. It is common among the draught-horses of France, 

 is a favourite colour among Arabs, particularly the variety known as 

 " flea-bitten," but is unusual in English thorough-breds. 



Roans are of two classes, the " red,^' or " strawberry^'' and the Roans. 

 '"'' bliie^^ ; and the appearance of tlie coat is produced by the intermingling 

 of red, white, and yellow, or black, white, and yellow hairs respectively. 

 They tend to get whiter with age in the same way as greys, but not in so 

 marked a degree. The red roan is sometimes called " sorrel," and 

 occasionally a chestnut roan may be met. 



A '''' piebald^^ is black and white, and a ''''skewbald''^ any other colour A "pie- 

 and white, the colours being laid on in large patches all over the body. bald." 



