HAIR. 



341 



doubt materially aid a horse in the selection and gathering 

 of food. Also, the hairy feelers about his eyes help to 

 save these organs from blows, when he is moving about in 

 the dark. As all these bristles conduce to his well-being, 

 they should be retained, despite their being regarded by 

 some persons as an eve-sore. Like the hairs of the coat, 

 they gradually thin-out towards their ends. Consequently, 

 their action as organs of touch would be interfered with by 



Fig. 407. — Pinzgauer entire. 



cutting them, which operation would also lessen their 

 pliability. We may therefore conclude, that if the bristles 

 round a horse's muzzle be cut, he will suffer from dis- 

 comfort, if not pain, when he attempts to feed, or when he 

 is handled about the mouth, as for instance, in bridling 

 him. Besides, clipping them gives a horse the disfiguring 

 appearance of being badly in want of a shave ! Although 

 there can be no great objection to occasionally pulling out 

 one or two of these bristles which may be longer than the 



