THE HORSE. 25 



Another noticeable feature in the Arab horse, 

 and one usually considered significant of an ac- 

 tive and wide-awake temperament, is the width 

 and expansiveness of the nostrils. These, upon 

 the least excitement, will quiver and expand, 

 and in a rapid gallop will stand out freely, giv- 

 ing a singularly spirited look to the animal's 

 face. 



The shape and size of the ears are also indica- 

 tions of high or low birth. In the high-bred 

 horse they are generally small, thin, and deli- 

 cate on their outer margins, with the tips in- 

 clined somewhat towards one another. By 

 means of these organs the animal expresses his 

 different emotions of anger, fear, dislike, or gay- 

 ety. They may be termed his language, and 

 their various movements can readily be under- 

 stood when one takes a little trouble to study 

 their indications. The ears of a low-bred horse 

 are large, thick, and covered with coarse hair ; 

 they sometimes lop or droop horizontally, pro- 

 truding from the sides of the head and giving 

 a very sheepish look to the face ; they rarely 

 move, and express very little emotion of any 

 kind. 



The eye of the desert steed is very beautiful, 

 possessing all the brilliancy and gentleness so 

 much admired in that of the gazelle. Its ex- 



