CHAPTER I. 17 



should note also whether his jaws are fine 

 or hard, whether they are alike or different.'^ 

 Horses whose jaws are unlike are generally 

 hard-mouthed. A prominent eye rather than 

 a sunken one is a sure sign that the horse is 

 wide awake ; and such a one can see farther 

 too. Wide nostrils " mean freer breathinp- 

 than close ones, and at the same time they 

 make the horse look fiercer ; for whenever 

 a horse is provoked at another or gets excited 

 during exercise, he dilates his nostrils very 

 widely. 



A rather large poll '^ and ears somewhat 

 small give the head more of the look which 

 a horse should have. High withers make 

 the rider's seat surer, and his grip on the 

 shoulders stronger. A double back '^ is 

 easier to sit upon, and better looking than 

 a single one. A deep side, rather rounded 

 at the belly, generally makes the horse at 

 once easier to sit upon, stronger, and a better 

 feeder. The broader and the shorter the 

 loins, with so much the greater ease does 

 the horse raise his forehand and bring up the 

 hind-quarters to follow; then, too, the belly 

 looks smallest, which, when it is large, is not 



