150 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



length from the point of the shoulder to the 

 furthest extremity of the quarter. 



Q. What is the advantage of having a broad 

 forehead ? 



A. It generally denotes sense and cleverness. 



Q. Why are long nostrils to be desired ? 



A. When they are distended in galloping the 

 orifices of the nostrils become wide in proportion 

 to their length vi^hen at rest ; and therefore breath- 

 ing is facilitated. 



A horse with a Roman nose is invariably a 

 determined horse, and usually a bold fencer. 



Q. What do large ears signify ? 



A. A generous, and often a placid temper, 

 especially if they have a tendency to lop. Such 

 horses are always honest, and can be depended 

 upon. A small prick ear is to be regarded with 

 suspicion ; it always means temper, which may 

 be stubbornness or irritability. The one leads to 

 jibbing and such-like vices ; and the other to 

 hot-headedness. If otherwise docile the horse 

 will very likely be a determined puller. 



Q. Why should a horse be wide between the 

 angle of the jaws ? 



A. Both to give plenty of room for the wind- 

 pipe, and also to allow freedom to bend the neck 

 to the bit. Good staying racehorses are invariably 

 wide in this respect ; while speedy but short 

 distance ones will often be found rather narrow. 



Q. How should the neck be shaped ? 



A. It should appear well-balanced, and so put 

 on as to bend well to the bit. Looking at it side- 

 ways it should be slightly curved at the throat, 

 but without any appearance of weakness, and be 



