EXTERNAL FORM, AS INDICATED BY POINTS 



The relative proportions of, and exact shape desirable in, each of these 

 points, vary considerably in the several breeds. Thus, when speed and 

 activity are essential, an oblique shoulder-blade is a sine qud non ; while 

 for heavy harness it can scarcely be too upright, enabling the pressure of the 

 collar to be more easily borne, and allowing the animal to exert his strength 

 at right angles to its long axis. Many men are good judges of hunters and 

 hacks, but are almost wholly ignorant of the qualities desirable in a coach- 

 or cart-horse. There are some elements, however, which are wanted in any 

 horse, such as big hocks and knees, flat legs with large sinews, open jaws 

 and full nostrils. It will, therefore, be necessary to describe the points of 

 each breed ; but I shall here give those which are always to be attended to 

 as being of importance in any kind, whether used for racing or hunting, for 

 the road or for agricultural purposes. 



Taking first the Head: — It should be known, that the volume of brain 

 contained within it determines the courage and other mental qualities of the 

 individual. Now as, cceteris paribus, size is power, so without a wide fore- 

 head (which part marks the seat of the brain), you cannot expect a full 

 development of those faculties known as courage, tractability, good temper, 

 etc. The size of the muzzle is partly regarded as an element of beauty, and 

 partly as a sign of high breeding. Hence, in the cart-horse, a coarse jaw 

 and thick muzzle are not regai^ded. A large and patent nostril can not ba 

 dispensed with in horses intended for fast work, and should be desired even 

 in the cart-horse, for in drawing heavy loads on a hot day, his breathing may 

 be rendered almost as laborious as that of the highly-tasked race-horse or 

 hunter. So also with the jaw, if there is not ample width between the two 

 sides for the development and play of the larynx and windpipe, the wind is 

 sure to be affected, and, in addition, the head cannot be nicely bent on the 

 neck. A defect in this last point is the usual ca*ise of that straight and 

 inelegant setting on of the head which is so common, and which the practised 

 horseman avoids, as alike unsightly and prejudicial to the wind and the 



