432 THE HORSE. 



success of a horse's stock would induce breeders to resort to him 

 if thej were largely endowed with white. Gray hairs mixed iu 

 the coat, as in the Venison's, are rather approved of than other- 

 wise ; but they do not amount to a roan, in which the gray 

 hairs equal, or even more than that, the other color 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 descend- 

 ing to the examination of an inferior proof; and, therefore, 

 except as a sign of health, the skin is seldom considered. In 

 all thoroughbred 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 importance 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-con- 

 tinued 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 shoidd be. silky and not curly, though 

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

 sally 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 ujjset 

 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 pendant tails. 



Between the form of West Australian and that of a com 

 mon country plate-horse there is a very wide difference, and 

 scarcely any weight will bring them together short of that which 

 would crush the former to the earth. There are numberless 



