COLOUR. 109 



' roarers,' and thus save further trial. Further than 

 this the test is useless and misleading. 



COLOUR. 



There is an old saying that a good horse cannot 

 be a bad colour. This, like most sayings, has a germ 

 of truth in it. Were we to have a free choice, in all 

 cases we should select our colour as follows : the 

 best colour undoubtedly is dark brown, with black 

 points ; the next best colour is bay with black points. 

 Light chestnuts are good ; but dark chestnuts are 

 objectionable, as it is notorious that after seven 

 years old their fore feet are often contracted. 

 Greys and whites are not bad colours. Black is a 

 hardy colour, white stockings if they exist largely 

 on the same horse are objectionable, especially 

 if the absence of pigment or colouring matter ex- 

 tends to the horn of the feet. Of all colours, yel- 

 low or Cleveland bays, piebalds, and dark red chest- 

 nuts are the most objectionable. In the choice of a 

 horse, however, the purchaser should ask himself the 

 question ; — does the horse's colour offend the eye ? if 

 not, and if the horse be otherwise desirable the 

 colour ought not to be an obstacle. 



HEIGHT. 



Having regard to most speed, we should have the 

 largest dimensions possible, and therefore the 

 greatest height compatible with perfection in sym- 

 metry. The greatest power also requires the 



