HOW TO KNOW HIM. 15 



ears ill set, and the horse probably sulky. Now, in re- 

 spect to the head, it also should be examined in detail, 

 for in it are distinct organs having distinct uses, and 

 each contributing its share to the proper understanding 

 of the animal to which they belong, and to which they 

 serve. But, of all these organs, perhaps the eye is 

 the most expressive and characteristic of them all. 

 Through it, in all the different phases of animation and 

 repose, we most directly behold the mind of the horse, 

 and the character of that disposition, the various moods 

 of which are revealed through the eye. And this will 

 not appear strange, that, both by its location and office- 

 work, it is in close and direct communication with the 

 brain. It might well be called the window, through 

 which we can look, and behold the activities going on 

 within, and which would be forever hidden from us 

 were this friendly window darkened. The eye of the 

 horse should be kindly, bold, full of suggestions of la- 

 tent heat and fervor, but spread over all a mild and 

 gentle look. I do not favor myself an eye ringed with 

 white, for this suggests timidity or mischief; although I 

 have known subjects in which this eye was seen, and the 

 animal was at the same time entirely free from fault. 

 Still, in the main, I hold that this judgment is correct, 

 uttered by one wise in horse-craft, that ' a horse which 

 is always looking back so far as to expose the white of 

 the eye is generally on the alert for mischief, and is not 

 to be trusted with his heels.' " 



As to the size of the eye, I suppose that eyes are 



