172 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



Sometimes the hairs are cut obliquely from below upward and from 

 behind to before (Fig. 48). 



Fig. 48. 



Finally, the tail is called bushy when the hairs, a little longer than 

 the stump, are excised obliquely, as in the preceding form, but follow- 

 ing a convex curve, which is insensibly continued on each side to join 

 the root of the stump. When well supported, it resembles the brushes 

 which bakers use to clean loaves of bread (Fig. 49). 



Fig. 49. 



Formerly, the name club-tail designated one whose stump, with 

 the hairs removed in the middle, cut very short, presented upon the 

 sides two long locks which were allowed to flow freely. The origin 

 of this appellation being much disputed, and, besides, being of little 

 interest, we will say nothing more .about it. This form of tail is no 

 longer fashionable. However, Lecoq reports that it is still sometimes 

 seen in tow-jiath horses.^ 



Finally, the horse is said to be rat-tailed when the hairs, thinly scat- 

 tered, render the partly-denuded skin of the stump visible. Although 

 a proverb asserts that never does a horse with rat-tail leave his master in 

 trouble, this peculiarity should always be considered as an inconven- 



i Lecoq, Exterieur du cheval, p. 73. 



