MAJOR AND MINOR DEFECTS 



239 



horizontal position, and with all the fingers, except the 

 index finger, closed. 



Before proceeding farther, it may be stated that 

 defects and blemishes should be classified as major 

 and minor. Many little imperfections are to be found 

 in even the best of horses, but these 

 may not seriously reduce values or 

 usefulness. The ear may be a shade 

 too large, the forehead a little too 

 narrow or the nostrils not so thin and 

 open as desired; but these all sink 

 into insignificance beside curby legs, 

 calf hocks and poor feet. A slight 

 thickening of the skin, small round 

 puffs and even more pronounced 

 blemishes may be ignored, if they vi; 

 are not located at dangerous points ' Fl( T 53 Reversion to 

 and have the appearance of being original type, 

 quiescent. While a critical examination of all parts 

 of the horse should be made before purchasing, it is 

 believed that even the boy on the farm will be able 

 to distinguish between major and minor defects, now 

 that attention has been called to them. 



Hazel -colored eyes are believed to be better than 

 dark ones. Bright, prominent open eyes are better 

 than those which appear flattish and dull. If the 

 opening for the eye has the appearance of a narrow 

 slit cut bias, the horse is said to be pig- eyed. If, in 

 in addition, the eyes be set too near the butt of the 

 ear and too near together by reason of a narrow fore- 

 head, the horse is likely to be an untrustworthy 



