284 TTTE HORSK. 



eje, I should eschew them carct'iilly. Wlieu blindness is the 

 result of violent inflammation broui^ht on by bad management, 

 or by influenza, or any other similar cause, the eye itself is more 

 or less disorganized ; and though this itself is objectionable, as 

 showing a weakness of the organ, it is not so bad as the regular 

 cataract. Such are the chief absolute defects, or deviations, from 

 health in the mare ; to which may be added a general delicacy 

 of constitution, which can only be guessed from the amount of 

 flesh which she carries while suckling or on poor " keep," or 

 from her appearance on examination by an experienced hand, 

 using his eyes as well. The firm full muscle, the bright and lively 

 eye, the healthy-looking coat at all seasons, rough though it may 

 be in the winter, proclaim the hardiness of constitution which is 

 wanted, but which often coexists with infirm legs and feet. In- 

 deed, sometimes tlie very best-topped animals have the worst 

 legs and teet, chiefiy owing to the extra weight they and their 

 ancestors also have had to carry. Crib-biting is sometimes a 

 habit acquired from idleness, as also is wind-sucking ; but if 

 not caused by indigestion, it often leads to it, and is very com- 

 monly caught by the offspring. It is true that it may be pre- 

 vented by a strap ; but it is not a desirable accomplishment in 

 the mare, though of less importance than those to which I have 

 already alluded, if not accompanied by absolute loss of health, 

 as indicated by emaciation, or the state of the skin. 



Lastly, the temper is of the utmost importance, by which 

 must be understood not that gentleness at grass which may lead 

 the breeder's family to pet the mare, but such a tem2:)er as will 

 serve for the purposes of her rider, and will answer to the stim- 

 ulus of the voice, whip, or spur. A craven or a rogue is not to 

 be thought of as the " mother of a family ; " and if a mare be- 

 longs to a breed which is remarkable for refusing to answer the 

 call of the rider, she should be consigned to any task rather than 

 the stud-farm. Neither should a mare be used for this purpose 

 which had been too irritable to train, unless she happened to be 

 an exceptional case ; but if of an irritable family, she would be 

 worse even than a roarer, or a blind one. These are defects 

 which are appparent in the colt or filly, but the irritability 

 which interferes with training often leads to the expenditure of 



