22 JUDGING LIGHT HOESES 



face should be distinct, without the least appearance of 

 coarseness or meatiness. A lean face is suggestive of good 

 quality in a horse. The muzzle should be fine in quality 

 to make the head appear at its best. Between the eyes 

 there should be breadth enough to give a pleasing frank- 

 ness to the countenance. It is a point of practical value 

 as an index to the brain development which is of much 

 importance in a light horse, for in this class intelligence 

 is a merit of high value. While it is granted that the intel- 

 ligence of a horse depends mostly on the training received, 

 yet there is a marked difference in the benefit which 

 horses derive from training, and that difference may only 

 be accounted for by variations in the brain development. 



27. Nostrils Large, Open. The nostrils of a horse 

 should be large, thin, dilatable and of a pink color. While 

 there should be no discharges from them, they should 

 always have the appearance of being moist. 



28. Eyes Full, Clear. A bright eye indicates vigor of 

 constitution, that is, stamina, staying power, or bottom, as 

 it is sometimes called. It is also associated with a happy 

 disposition and it seems to be this that accounts for the 

 fact that some horses do an enormous amount of work with 

 little worry and strain upon themselves. A large, full, clear 

 eye is indicative of a kind, generous disposition and good 

 health. 



29. Ears Erect, Active. The ears should be close to- 

 gether and carried in an erect position. They should be 

 active and somewhat pointed. Lop ears indicate lassitude, 

 or in plainer words, laziness. When it is noticed that a 

 horse does not shift or move either of its ears to any extent 

 to catch sound, it is safe to presume that it is afflicted with 

 deafness. On the other hand if it is continually moving 

 them, it is advisable to inspect the eyesight carefully as it 

 is likely that the extra labor imposed on the ears has its 

 origin in the defect of one or both of the eyes. 



