EXTERNAL FORM. 19 



though to some extent exhibited by the domesticated horse before 

 breaking, and evidently the result of the tendency which is always 

 displayed to hand down from one generation to another habits 

 which are not natural to the species. 



EXTERNAL FORM, AS INDICATEL BY POINTS. 



The anatomy of this animal will form the subject of a special 

 division of this book, but the external form may now be discussed 

 with propriety. By horsemen in general this is considered under 

 certain subdivisions, which are called " points," and which are 

 severally represented by figures in the outline on the following page. 



The relative proportions of, and exact shape desirable in, 

 each of these points, vary considerably in the several breeds. 

 Thus, when speed and activity are essential, an oblique shoulder- 

 blade is a sine qua non ; while for heavy harness it can scarcely 

 be too upright, enabling the pressure of the collar to be more easily 

 borne, and allowing the animal to exert his strength at right an- 

 gles to its long axis. Many men are good judges of hunters and 

 hacks, but are almost wholly ignorant of the qualities desirable in 

 a coach or cart-horse. There are some elements, however, which 

 are wanted in any horse, such as big hocks and knees, flat legs 

 with large sinews, open jaws and full nostrils. It will, therefore, 

 be necessary to describe the points of each breed ; but I shall here 

 give those which are always to be attended to as being of import- 

 ance in any kind, whether used for racing or hunting, for the road 

 or for agricultural purposes. 



Taking first the head : — It should be known that the vo- 

 lume of brain contained within it determines the courage and 

 other mental qualities of the individual. Now as, cseteris j>aJ'ibics, 

 size is power, so without a wide forehead (which part marks the 

 seat of the brain) you cannot expect a full development of those 

 faculties known as courage, tractability, good temper, &c. The 

 size of the muzzle is partly regarded as an element of beauty, and 

 partly as a sign of high breeding. Hence, in the cart-horse, a 

 coarse jaw and thick muzzle are not regarded. A large and patent 

 nostril cannot be dispensed with in horses intended for fast work, 

 and should be desired even in the cart-horse, for in drawii^g heavy 

 loads on a hot day, his breathing may be rendered almost as labo- 

 rious as that of the highly-tasked racehorse or hunter. So also 

 with the jaw, if there is not ample width between the two sides for 

 the development and play of the larynx and windpipe, the wind is 

 sure to be affected, and, in addition, the head cannot be nicely 

 bent on the neck. A defect in this last point is the usual cause 

 of that straight and inelegant setting on of the head which is so 

 common, and which the practised horseman avoids, as alike un- 

 sightly and prejudicial to the wind and the mouth; for a horse 



