LESSONS IN HORSE JUDGING. 113 



chestnuts are objectionable, as it is notorious that 

 after seven years old their fore feet are often con- 

 tracted. Grays and whites are not bad colors. 

 Black is a hardy color; white stockings if they 

 exist largely on the same horse are objectionable, 

 especially if the absence of pigment or coloring 

 matter extends to the horn of the feet. Of all 

 colors, yellow or Cleveland bays, piebalds, and 

 dark red chestnuts are the most objectionable. 

 In the choice of a horse, however, the purchaser 

 should ask himself the question: Does the horse's 

 color offend the eye ? If not, and if the horse be 

 otherwise desirable, the color ought not to be an 

 obstacle. 



HEIGHT. 



Having regard to most speed, we should have 

 the largest dimensions possible, and therefore the 

 greatest height compatible with perfection in 

 symmetry. The greatest power also requires the 

 greatest bulk. A combination of speed and 

 power, as exhibited in our type the hunter, has 

 its highest expression in horses about fifteen and 

 a half hands high; half a hand more or less being 

 unessential. 



THE SKIN AND ITS APPENDAGES. 



The skin of the thoroughbred is extremely thin 

 and dehcate, and aUows the veins to be seen 

 : through it, and is covered with fine hair. That 

 of the draught horse is thick. That of the 

 hunter, or power and speed representative, is a 

 mean between the two extremes, and shows as 



