FORM OF THE RACER. 



4.5 



of the leading characteristics of the thorough-bred 

 liorse. His broad angular forehead gives him that 

 beautiful expression of countenance which no other 

 breed possesses ; and the tapering of the face from 

 the forehead to the muzzle forms a striking contrast 

 with the large face of the cart-horse, and the fore- 

 liead scarcely wider than the face. 



HEAD OF A RACER. 



HEAD OK A CART-HORSE. 



The race-horse should have a black, lively, and 

 rather prominent eye, which denotes a sound con- 

 stitution ; and as horses do not breathe throuo^h 

 the mouth, but onlj through the nose, tlie nostrils 

 should be rather expanded and flexible, that they 

 may accommodate themselves to quickened respira- 

 tion, as the speed of the animal increases. But 

 they should not be over large. " Naribus 7ion 

 angustis^''^ says Varro, and he is right. Beaut}^ in 

 the head of the race-horse, however, is only a 

 secondary consideration to the manner in which it 

 should form a junction with the neck, as on that, 

 in a great measure, depends the goodness of his 

 wind in a race. His jaws should not only be thin, 



