POINTS OF THE GREEK HORSE. 37 



for horses do not attempt to run awaj by bringing in, but bj 

 thrusting out, their heads and necks. It is also very necessary 

 to observe, whether the mouth be fine or hard on both sides, 

 or on one or the other. For horses, which have not both jaws 

 equally sensitive, are likely to be hard-mouthed on one side or 

 the other. And it is better that a horse should have prominent 

 than hollow eyes, for such a one will see to a greater distance. 

 And widely opened nostrils are far better for respiration than 

 narrow, and they give the horse a fiercer aspect ; for when one 

 stallion is enraged against another, or if he become angry while 

 being ridden, he expands his nostrils to their full width. And 

 the loftier the crest, and the smaller the ears, the more horse- 

 like and handsome is the head rendered ; while lofty withers 

 give the rider a surer seat, and produce a firmer adhesion be- 

 tween the body and shoulders. A double loin is also softer to 

 sit upon iiiid pleasanter to look upon, than if it be single ; and 

 a deep side, rounded toward the belly, renders the horse easier 

 to sit, and stronger, and more easy to be kept in condition ; and 

 the shorter and broader the loin, the more easily will the horse 

 raise his fore-quarters, and collect his hind-quarters under him, 

 in going. These points, moreover, cause the belly to appear 

 the smaller ; which, if it be large, at once injures the appearance 

 of the animal and renders him weaker, and less manageable, 

 Xhe quarters should be broad and fleshy, in order to correspond 

 with the sides and chest, and, should they be entirely firm and 

 solid, they would be the lighter in the gallop, and the horse 

 would be the speedier. But if he should have his buttocks 

 separated under the tail by a broad line, he will bring his hind 

 legs under him, with a wider space between them ; and so 

 doing he will have a prouder and stronger gait and action, and 

 will, in all respects, be the better on them, A proof of which 

 is to be had in men, who, when they desire to raise any thing 

 from the ground, attempt it by straddling theii- legs, not by bring- 

 ing them close together. Stallions should not have the testes 

 large, and this ought not to be overlooked in foals. To con- 

 clude, in regard to the lower joints, of the shanks, namely, and 

 the fetlocks and the hoofs, behind, I have the same remarks to 

 make, and no others, than those which I have made above." 

 In reference to this passage, I would remark that, although 



