HOW TO SELECT A HORSE 31 



army, what color he preferred, and he replied, "A 

 flea-bitten gray." 



On the other hand, certain pale, washed-out colors, 

 such as a bay with a yellowish tint, or a very light sor- 

 rel, seem to indicate some want of constitution. White 

 hair, or even very light bay hair, on the legs of a bay 

 horse Is objectionable. A bay horse should have black 

 legs. An exception, however, to this rule must be made 

 In respect to Shire horses and Clydesdales, as they 

 usually have light-colored legs. White Is also, I think, 

 a weak color; but this of course does not apply to gray 

 horses that become white through advancing age. Gray 

 horses, as they become old, are subject to small, mela- 

 noid tumors, especially about the anus, but these are not 

 often big enough to do any harm. 



It Is sometimes said that chestnut horses are apt to 

 be fiery, and this, I believe. Is true. A bright chestnut 

 horse with a white strip In his face and white stockings. 

 Is a very showy animal, and usually a high-spirited one. 

 It was such a horse that Lord Cardigan rode when he 

 led the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava. 



