6 Early History and Habits 



grey, the silver-grey, the iron-grey, &c. Dapple-grey horses 

 have on the back and other parts of the body a number 

 of round spots, in some cases black in others of a lighter 

 hue ; these spots are somewhat irregularly distributed. 

 Grey horses as they increase in age become lighter in 

 colour, ultimately becoming white. 



Piebald and skewbald horses are white, with large irregu- 

 lar spots and stripes of some other colour irregularly 

 arranged. The different kinds are distinguished by the 

 colour that is combined with the white, as the piebald 

 proper, which are white and black ; the skeu>bald, which 

 are white and bay ; the chestnut piebald, which are white 

 and chesnut. 



The horses which have small black spots on a white or 

 grey coat are called flea-bitten, particularly prevalent in 

 India among Arabs. 



We have hitherto considered the wild and domestic 

 horse in common, both as regards their structure and their 

 colour, in short, their outward appearance generally, with- 

 out noticing the different breeds, which must soon occupy 

 our attention. But before we enter upon the study of the 

 various equine races, it is necessary to give a short explana- 

 tion as to the way in which the bit regulates the paces of 

 the horse. By this we are led to speak of the construction 

 of the mouth, a knowledge of which is most useful. 



The horse either walks, trots, gallops, or ambles. 



The paces of the horse are essentially modified by 

 means both of the bit and spur. The spur excites a 

 quickness of movement ; the bit communicates to this 

 movement a due amount of precision. The mouth of the 

 horse is so sensitive that the least movement or the 

 slightest impression which it receives warns and regulates 

 the motion of the animal. But to preserve the full delicacy 

 of this organ, it is highly necessary to treat tenderly its 

 extreme sensibility. 



The position of the teeth in the jaw of the horse affords 

 to man the facility which exists of placing a bit in its 

 mouth, by which instrument this high-spirited and vigorous 

 animal is broken in and guided. Let us, therefore, in the 

 first place, study the arrangement of its mouth. 



