THE HORSE. 25 



Another noticeable feature in the Arab horse, 

 and one usually considered significant of an ac- 

 tive and wide-awake temperament, is the width 

 and expansiveness of the nostrils. These, upon 

 the least excitement, will quiver and expand, 

 and in a rapid gallop will stand out freely, giv- 

 ing a singularly spirited look to the animal's 

 face. 



The shape and size of the ears are also indica- 

 tions of hio-h or low birth. In the hi(2:li-bred 

 horse they are generally small, thin, and deli- 

 cate on their outer margins, with the tips in- 

 clined somewhat towards one another. By 

 means of these organs the animal expresses his 

 different emotions of anger, fear, dislike, or gay- 

 ety. They may be termed his language, and 

 their various movements can readily be under- 

 stood when one takes a little trouble to study 

 their indications. The ears of a low-bred horse 

 are large, thick, and covered with coarse hair ; 

 they sometimes lop or droop horizontally, pro- 

 truding from the sides of the head and giving 

 a very sheepish look to the face ; they rarely 

 move, and express very little^ emotion of any 

 kind. 



The eye of the desert steed is very beautiful, 

 possessing all the brilliancy and gentleness so 

 much admired in that of the gazelle. Its ex- 



