956 



PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II!. 



6251. The forehead next presents itself (c c), straight, and of a proper width in the improved bree.ls, 

 adorned by nature with an elegant portion of hair, which, detaching itself from the rest of the mane, flows 

 down the face to protect both that and the ears from the attacks of insects. 



6252. The eyes {(id) deserve particular attention, not only for their utility, but as objects of beauty and ex- 

 pression. In the blood horse the orbitary fosste, or eye-sockets, are more prominent and more inclined, by 

 which the axes of his eyes diverge more from each other than those of the heavy breed ; by which not only 

 he is enabled to see further behind him, but the prominence of his eyes gives great beauty and expression to 

 the blood head. The further consideration of the eyes, and their criteria of soundness, will be postponed 

 to the anatomical detail. In old horses most of the fat of the body, which is more superficially placed in the 

 young, becomes absorbed ; in this way the eye, which is usually embedded in avast quantity of this matter, 

 losing its assistance, sinks within its orbits, and thus the cavities above, called eye-pits, shows themselves 

 deeply in an aged horse. 



6253. From the ears to the angle of the jaws {e e) large vessels and extensive glands are situated. Within 

 these branches of the posterior jaw is lodged the throat, and it will be observed how necessary it is that 

 these branches should expand sufficiently to admit of the motions of the head, particularly of those in- 

 fluenced by the reining-in of the bridle ; otherwise the blood-vessels and other parts must be injuriously 

 pressed upon. 



6254. The hollow between the jaws is called the channel, and at the under part of it (/) a considerable 

 branch of an artery proceeds from the inner side over and around the outer, which branch forms the most 

 convenient situation for feeling the pulse of the horsa 



6255. The face {g) of the improved breed of horses presents either a straight line, or one slightly 

 curved inward towards the lower part ; whereas, in the heavy breeds, it is very commonly found to be 

 curved outward. This part comprises, as with man, from the forehead to the lips. When the face is 

 covered with white, it is considered a blemish; but when a white spot only exists in the forehead, it is 

 considered a beauty. 



6256. The markings in the face are useful to describe a horse by, and frequently lead to the recovery of 

 a strayed or stolen one._ In regimental accounts these marks are carefully noted. When a spot extends 

 down the face, it is termed a blaze ; and when further continued into the muzzle, it is called blaze and 

 snip. When a star is distinct, but with it there are white markings which begin some distance below it, 

 and are continued downwards, it is called a race. 



6257. The muzzle {h h) includes the lips, mouth, and nostrils ; the darker the colour of this part the 

 more is the horse esteemed : very dark brown horses are an exception, for in them it is usually of a tan 

 colour, and is praised both as a beauty and indicative of excellence. It is both a beauty and an excellence 

 that the nostrils be thin, angular, and large. 



62.-)8. The lips should be thin, firm, and by no means loose and pendulous, as is the case in the old and 

 sluggish. The lips in the horse are the principal organs of touch and discrimination, and hence are 

 exquisitely sensible. 



6259. The form of the mouth, as receiving the bit, is important. It is also of more consequence than is 

 usually supposed, that its commissure or opening be sufficiently deep ; when shallow, it is not only in- 

 elegant, but it will not admit a bridle favourably into its proper resting place upon the bars. Within the 

 mouth are situated the teeth, which are so placed as to have interrupted portions of jaw above and below 

 of considerable extent. These vacancies are called bars, and are parts of extreme importance to the horse- 

 man, as it is by means of agents called bits resting on these parts, and operating on their sensibility by 

 means of a lever, the long arm of which is in the hand of the rider, that he ensures obedience. In aid of 

 this mechanism, to one portion of this lever is attached a chain, called a curb, which acting on the outer 

 part of the chin, increases the pressure. This latter part has been called the barb or heard, but its situation 

 is evidently above that 



