lO THE PERFECT HOESE. 



review those points or cliaracteristic marks of a horse 

 which assist the judgment in forming a correct estimate 

 of his real worth. And, first of all, let us carefully 

 consider 



THE HEAD. 



The head is the glory of the horse, as it is of man. 

 Through it the vital forces look out upon the scene of 

 their exercise and their triumph. The passions and 

 emotions use it as their interpreter ; and every mood and 

 feeling run to it for advertisement. If a man's soul, as 

 it has been claimed, can be judged by his face, a horse 

 may be known by his head. Granted a certain confor- 

 mation, and you will have viciousness ; granted another, 

 and you have amiability. Next to the human face, the 

 countenance of a horse is most expressive of the quali- 

 ties within, and the most beautiful form of animal life. 

 How grave, how cheerful, how amiable, how vicious, 

 how playful, how positive and determined, the counte- 

 nance of the horse can become ! What brightness and 

 vivacity, what majesty and courage, what energy and 

 terrible power, the look and countenance of the horse 

 are capable of expressing ! No wonder that it has 

 always been a favorite subject for the brush of the 

 artist and the chisel of the sculptor, and deemed worthy 

 by the inspired writers to adorn the poetry of the 

 Bible. 



The first thing for you to consider, reader, when 

 examining a horse in judgment, is his head. First of 

 all, get a good front view : observe the distance be- 



