HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 87 



veloiis pacing mare, (for her time), Pocahontas, went the mile 

 to wagon in 2:17|-. The stars of the following decade, (1804), 

 were: Dexter '2:i7|, and Lady Thorne, 2:18|. In the next 

 period, (1874), Goldsmith Maid 2:14: Hopeful, 2:14f; Rarus, 

 2:13^, and Lula, 2:14|, represented the limits of trotting speed. 

 In 1879, St. Julian trotted in 2:12f, but reached his limit, 2:11^, 

 in 1880. In 1884, Jay-Eye-See trotted the mile in 2:10; and 

 in 1885, IVIaud S. trotted in 2:08|, which last was the best time 

 in ISOo, to the high-wheel sulky. In 1892 Nancy Hanks made 

 the mile in 2:04 ; in the same year ]\Iascot paced the mile in 

 the same time, and in 1893 Flying Jib and Algona both paced 

 the mile in 2:04, both against time. 



Eye. One of the most beautiful organs of the horse and 

 one giving a great insight into his disposition and character. 

 It should be clear, the pupil black, the eyelids thin and com- 

 paratively free from wrinkles. A small eye is usually regarded 

 as indicating a sulky disposition, or one wanting in courage, 

 and is called a " pig-eye." Horses which show a good deal of 

 white in their eyes are almost invariably vicious in temper. It 

 has long been observed that before a kicker makes ready to 

 " let fly " behind, he uncovers a portion of the white of the eye 

 — on the side to which the head is inclined. In normal condi- 

 tion the eye of the horse usually shows but little of the white, 

 except when it turns its head to the rear or inwards. The 

 presence of deep hollows above the eyes is a defect, as it 

 denotes that the horse is old and more or less worn out ; or 

 that either its sire or dam was well advanced in years when it 

 was bred — hence such a mark indicates that the horse is some- 

 what wanting in vigor. It is thought by some that a reddish 

 color to the white of the eye denotes a hardy constitution and 

 staying power. When there is an absence of coloring matter 

 to the eye, it is known as a wall or watch eye. 



[Law.] Any disease of tlie eye, even from the slightest cold or inflam- 

 mation, nntil It is completely cured, or \intil it has terminated in 

 total blindness, stamps the animal as unsound. But while in some 

 cases it has been decided that total blindness which does not unfit 

 for work is only a blemish; in others, as in case of race horses, 

 blindness is classed as an unsoundness. 



Tlie j^reat index of character is the eye, and if this be dull, or give fitful 

 flashes of animation in the excitement of coming on to the track, 

 the horse will surely not be nble to do what he ought to do. I never 

 saw a horse that the brilliancy of the eye w;is not heightened by 

 proper training. It may not show as nnich briskness, as there is a 

 pla(nd look acquired wiiich might deceive you at the first glance; 

 but as you look again, there is no glossy, uni'neaning stare, and vou 

 look down into the clear dejuhs till you cannot bnt resolve t'liat 

 such an organ must belong to more than an animal, and that it is a 

 token of a being endowed with that reason which we haughtily 

 arrogate as oidy belonging to man. When the horse is led up to 

 start in a race, this placid look .is changed to one as determined as 

 ever flashed from beneath the brow of ancient knight attempting 



