Present Varieties of the Horse. 2 1 



the Venisons, are rather approved of than otherwise ; but 

 they do not amount to a roan, in which the grey hairs 

 equal, or even more than that, the other colour mixed 

 with them. 



The texture of the coat and skin is a great proof of high 

 breeding, and in the absence of the pedigree would be 

 highly regarded \ but when that is satisfactory it is of no 

 use descending to the examination of an inferior proof; 

 and therefore, except as a sign of health, the skin is sel- 

 dom considered. In all thorough-bred horses, however, 

 it is thinner, and the hair more silky than in common 

 breeds ; and the veins are more apparent under the skin, 

 partly from its thinness, but also from their extra size and 

 number of branches. This network of veins is of import- 

 ance in allowing the circulation to be carried on during 

 high exertions, when, if the blood could not accumulate 

 in them, it would often choke the deep vessels of the 

 heart and lungs ; but by collecting on the surface, great 

 relief is afforded, and the horse is able to maintain such a 

 high and long-continued speed as would be impracticable 

 without their help. Hence, these points are not useful as 

 a mere mark of breed, but as essential to the very purpose 

 for which that breed was established. 



The mane and tail should be silky and not curly, though 

 a slight wave is often seen. A decided curl is almost uni- 

 versally a mark of degradation, and shows a stain in the 

 pedigree as clearly as any sign can do. Here, however, 

 as in other cases, the clear tracing of that all-powerful 

 proof of breeding will upset all reasoning founded upon 

 inferior data. The setting on of the tail is often regarded 

 as of great importance, but it is chiefly with reference to 

 appearances ; for the horse is not dependent for action or 

 power upon this appendage. Nor is strength of dock of 

 any value as a sign, and I have known many very stout 

 horses with flaccid and loosely pendent tails. 



The various breeds of Cart horses are exceeding nu- 

 merous. Most of our larger and heavier breeds of these 

 animals are crossed with the Flemish horses, and are 

 thereby rendered heavier and more capable of moving 

 heavy weights, which their bulk and readiness to try a 



