POINTS. 



381 



some of which extend from the last bone of the vertebras almost to the 



hock. In a body whose power is dependent on contractility, of course 



length of substance favors 



the ability to shorten or 



to contract. In proof of 



this, animals with the 



tails "well set on" are 



commonly remarkable for 



speed and for activity. 



The reader will perceive 

 how much the aspect of 

 the quarters is governed 

 by the position of the 

 tail, when he inspects the 

 illustration which is here 

 submitted to his examina- 

 tion. 



The Arab naturally 

 bears the tail erect; and 

 by the rapidity of its mo- 

 tions, together with the 

 power of the organ, an 

 explanation is afforded of 

 the ease and the grace with which this breed 

 of horses can perform the most difficult evolu- 

 tions. The tail of the English thorough-bred, 

 without emphasizing the Arab trait, neverthe- 

 less, by its position and its graceful carriage, 

 declares the origin whence its lineage is derived. 

 A rat tail is a deformity generally disguised in 

 large towns. There exist a wide class of expe- 

 rienced horsemen who assert they never knew 



a rat tail to spring from a bad body. Why baldness of a particular 

 region should indicate general excellence, cannot be explained ; but the 

 author is not prepared to quote a single known exception to this all but 

 universal prejudice, although it may be opposed to reason. 



The vast majority of quadrupeds, however, are not conspicuous either 

 for the carriage or the position of the tails. The dock, in the greater 

 number, is compressed between the haunches. The filthy custom of 

 nicking was intended to rectify this position. A portion of the depressor 

 muscle was wantonly destroyed, which of course left the opposing agent 

 with uncontrolled power. Such barbarity, assuredly, made the tail stick 



ORDINARY TAIL 



GART TAIL 



