HOW TO SELECT A HORSE 25 



the ears come together when they are pricked forward 

 the more nervous and excitable the horse. Years ago 

 there flourished in a certain village in northern New 

 England a mare nicknamed "Piccadeer" (Peaked 

 Ear). Her ears actually touched at the tips when 

 they were pricked. She was noted for her speed, and 

 still more for her incurable habits of shying and run- 

 ning away. A flopping ear is held to indicate a want 

 of strength or energy; but some very high-lifed horses 

 will flop their ears when they are standing. In such 

 cases the flopping is probably due to some defect in 

 the muscles of the ears — not to the inward spirit of 

 the horse. The quick-moving, alert ear — and espe- 

 cially the ear that is turned forward and then backward, 

 and then forward again — is the sure sign of a lively, 

 pleasant disposition. 



Roman-nosed horses are apt to be obstinate, but once 

 broken they are broken forever, and they are very 

 seldom flighty or timid. The Roman nose does not 

 often occur in a high-bred horse, except In the English 

 draft breeds. The opposite, the dish-faced formation. 

 Is, on the other hand, associated with good breeding, 

 and Is usually the sign of high spirit. 



QUALITY 



Good breeding shows itself in what Is called " Qual- 

 ity," which Is thus defined by Professor Rufus G 

 Obrecht: 



Quality in a horse is of prime importance. The term when ap- 

 plied to horses has reference to their bones, skin, hair and muscles. 

 Its presence is shown by clean-cut features of the head; firm, 



