COLOUR OF THE HAIR 27 1 



paces being disagreeable. Few racers or hunters of 

 character have been known of this colour. 



Of all the colours, bays have been the best in this 

 country. They are liable to many modifications of 

 shade. Those which have no white about them, and 

 whose limbs are black from the knees and the hocks to 

 the feet, are the most desirable to possess, having in 

 general good constitutions, and also well-formed feet. 

 When they verge into the bay-brown, they are not 

 so showy, nor is their action so good ; but they will 

 be found to be hardy, durable, and useful. They 

 possess more substance than the lighter coloured 

 bays, and have a greater depth of leg. If they 

 happen to be high-bred, they will generally turn out 

 good. 



There are three varieties of chestnuts. The 

 lightest red, which is denominated sorrel, have too 

 frequently white about either their feet or face. In 

 general they are found to be light in the carcass, and 

 possessing delicate constitutions, and for the most part 

 are hot-tempered. Many of them, although light in 

 the figure and tolerably well formed, are nevertheless 

 totally devoid of good breeding, and certainly incap- 

 able of endurance. If we have a predilection for 

 chestnut, which is undoubtedly a showy colour, we 

 must look to the lighter coloured horses with less of 

 the red, and tending more to the bay or brown. The 

 action of these horses is generally pleasant, but some- 

 times possessing irritable tempers. They are, how- 

 ever, considered rather constitutionally weak. The 

 dark chestnut possesses a finely-moulded form, with 

 well-rounded quarters, although the legs have a 

 tendency to be rather fine. This horse is capable of 

 great endurance, and possesses a healthy constitution. 

 His temper will be found fiery and high. Small feet 



