8 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



exist will have a marked efifect upon the life of the ani- 

 mal raised, and his fitness for the especial service for 

 which, in the mind and ambition of the breeder, he is 

 to excel. And while these three temperaments — the 

 nervous, bilious, and sanguine — should all exist, and 

 meet in happy union, in the same animal, yet in what 

 proportion they should be mingled in order to produce 

 this happy union of speed, endurance, lung-power, and 

 healthful ness, is to the breeder a matter of momentous 

 importance ; for on this, beyond all else, as we think, 

 and trust our reasoning proves, failure or success 

 depends. 



Did the contemplated space of this work permit, I 

 could show that this matter of temperamental organiza- 

 tion of the horse potentially affects the entire animal, — 

 even every minute point of the physical structure, and 

 each separate part and function of the body. If the 

 temperament be an active, lively one, then will the bones 

 be fine in their texture, ivory-like, and lasting. The 

 muscles, also, will be influenced, and become wiry, com- 

 pact, and elastic as spiral wire. If the temperament, 

 on the other hand, be sluggish, heavy, lymphatic, the 

 bones will be spongy and porous in their structure, the 

 muscles flaccid and coarse, and the nervous organization 

 low, dull, and inoperant. I am well aware that size, all 

 else being equal, is a true gauge of power ; but let it 

 never be forgotten by the breeder and purchaser of the 

 horse, that "all else" is not equal. Size alone is no 

 measure of power ; for all can see, even with the most 



