78 THE FAMILY HORSE. 



have very little of this hair, while with English and Scotch draft 

 horses a thick growth is a conspicuous characteristic of the breed. 



The long hair around the muzzle and nostrils doubtless act in 

 some degree similar to the whiskers of a cat, as organs of perception, 

 and their removal is injurious. An excess of coarse hairs in those 

 parts indicates low breeding, and is never seen in a thoroughbred. 

 But if shorn off, they will soon grow out again harsher than at first. 

 The long hairs above and below the eyes serve a very important 

 purpose in protecting those delicate organs, and should never be in- 

 terfered with. The growth of fine hair inside the ears is there for 

 their protection. If it becomes so long as to protrude beyond the 

 outer edges of the ear, the ends may be shortened, but it should 

 never be cut out from the inside of the ears. 



