106 THE HORSE 



semble greatly those of the neck of the gamecock ; and when there is a 

 decided angle about three or four inches from the jaw, the horse is said to 

 be " cock-throttled," and it is then generally supposed that he is more than 

 usually liable to become a roarer or a whistler. The curve of this part a 

 good deal depends upon the bi-eaking and subsequent riding, different 

 hands producing a great variation in the carriage ; but if the bones are so 

 formed and connected together that the natural curve has its concavity 

 upwards, it is almost impossible to produce a proper bend in the other 

 direction, though still much may be accomplished by perseverance. A 

 " ewe-neck," as this is called, is very objectionable on this account ; but it 

 is very often combined with speed, fine action, and great gameness. More 

 depends upon the junction between the head and neck, than upon the latter 

 in itself, for by long-continued perseverance, it may be made so supple 

 as to bend at the rider's will ; but if the jaws are too narrow to allow 

 the head to bend upon the neck, no means that can be applied will 

 make any impression, and the result is that the mouth is spoiled, and 

 frequently the temper also. A large and free windpipe, that is, one of 

 sufficient diameter for the passage of air, and not tied down by any bands 

 of fascia, will be necessary for good wind ; and this point should specially 

 be examined. 



In the head is contained the organ of intelligence, which is also the 

 chief seat of that nervous energy which animates the whole body. Here 

 also are the eyes, and the external apertures of the breathing apparatus ; 

 so that the form of this part of the body is of great importance. Size is 

 power, and, cceteris paribus, a large brain is to be regarded as a most 

 valuable adjunct. Hence the head should be wide above the eyes, as well 

 as between the ears, and somewhat full or projecting in the forehead also, 

 in order to give lodgment to a brain of good volume. It is the great 

 development of this organ in the thoroughbred and his Eastei'n relations, 

 that gives the extraordinary stoutness and fire for which they are so 

 remarkable; and therefore a horse of this breed deficient in volume of 

 brain will be found in these respects no better than his low-bred rivals., 

 In every other part, the weight should be reduced to the minimum neces- 

 sary for carrying on the functions peculiar to it, save only the eye, a very 

 small one being generally found to be prone to disease. The thorough- 

 bred horse has a beautifully full and gazelle-like eye; but in this organ 

 many half-bred animals are quite equal to him — the eye of the cart-horse, 

 however, showing the opposite extreme. A very prominent or unnaturally 

 convex eye, called a " buck-eye," is not to be regarded as desirable, being 

 an evidence of shortness of sight, and therefore not to be confounded with 

 the full and soft expression indicative of good manners, high courage when 

 roused, and soundness. Next to the eyes in importance are the nostrils, 

 which should be open, and when the horse has galloped should stand out 

 stiffly, showing the red lining membrane, and admitting the air fi'eely. Of 

 course, even tlie smallest nostrils are of larger area than the wind-pipe ; 

 but there is generally a coincidence between their size and that of the 

 internal passages higher up, and on that account a patent nostril is to be 

 looked for with some anxiety. I have known some horses with small 

 nostrils possess excellent wind, because in them the internal conformation 

 was of full size, and if, as I before remarked, the area of the two nostrils 



