THE TEMPERAMENT. 



9 



intended for slow work and heavy draught. If they occur 

 in the order in which I have placed them, the animal will 

 be slow, quiet, strong, and dm-able. I do not mean to 

 state that any one of the temperaments can be dis- 

 pensed with altogether in any indi\'idual case. The 

 relative proportion which they bear to each other is the 

 point of importance, and it should always receive spe- 

 cial attention, as it will mainly determine the qualities 

 of the animal, and, taken together with his form, will 

 enable a person to estimate his capabilities for any 

 particular purpose. 



The temperament has a great deal to do with the 

 minute stracture of the different parts of the body. If 

 it be active, the textm-e of the muscles, bones, &c., 

 will be fine, wiry, and compact ; if sluggish, the same 

 parts will be coarse, soft, and spongy. This is one es- 

 sential difference between the Clydesdale and thorough- 

 bred horses in their minute anatomical structure. It 

 should always be kept prominently in view when we 

 make comparisons as to the strength, durabihty, and 

 other qualities of the different breeds. I will freely 

 admit that the size of any part of the animal is a 

 direct measiu'e of its power, provided all other things, 

 such as temperament, &c., are equal ; but I strenuously 

 maintain that the shghtest alteration in temperament 

 will make a corresponding difference in the power, and 

 capabihty of endurance, of every indi\ddual part. For 

 instance, the muscle or bone of a thorough-bred horse, 



