26 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



pression in repose is one of mildness and amia- 

 bility, but, under the influence of excitement, it 

 dilates widely and sparkles. A horse which has 

 small eyes set close together, no matter what 

 excellences he may possess in other respects, is 

 sure to have some taint of inferior blood. Some 

 of the coarser breeds have the large eye of the 

 Arabian, but it will usually be found that they 

 have some thorough-bred among their ancestors. 

 Width between the sides or branches of the 



lower jaw is anoth- 

 er distinctive fea- 

 ture of the horse of 

 pure descent. (Fig. 

 3.) A wide furrow 



Fig. 3. Width of lower jaw m the 



thorough-bred. or channel between 



the points mentioned is necessary for speed, in 

 order to allow room for free respiration when 

 the animal is in rapid motion. The coarser 

 breeds have very small, narrow channels (Fig. 

 4), and very rapid motion soon distresses them. 

 The mouth of the well-bred horse is large, al- 

 lowing ample room 

 for the bit, and giv- 

 ing him a deter- 

 mined and ener- 



Fig. 4. -Width of lower jaw in the & etic > but at til6 



low-bred. same time pleasant, 



