CHAPTER YI. 



THE CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 



In the selection of horses as to purchase, besides 

 being able to judge as to the soundness of the 

 animals, one requires to have some knowledge of 

 their shape or configuration in order that the 

 horses may be well chosen. 



The Head — The head of the horse should be 

 small, especially if the animal is required for 

 riding purposes, as a large and cumbrous head, 

 besides looking ungainly, makes the horse hang 

 heavily on its rider's hands. A small head shows 

 good breeding ; a large head denotes the contrary. 

 There should be plenty of width across the fore- 

 head, and the muscles covering the head generally 

 should not be too well developed in size ; there 

 should be plenty of space between the jawbones, 

 and also from the eyes to the angle of the jaw. 



