172 HEAD AND NECK. 



entertained by writers on equine conformation, a large 

 development of brain is a desirable "point" in the horse. 

 Thus we read in Achat du Cheval, by M. Gayot, that: " The 

 more voluminous is the brain, the larger is the spinal cord, 

 proportionate to the size of which are the nerves that issue 

 from it. It is thus that a large forehead, denoting a high 

 degree of intelligence, is the index of a good nervous system 

 — that is to say, of high mental and physical qualities." As 

 regards this, I would suggest a doubt respecting the con- 

 nection claimed between "high mental and physical qualities." 

 It did not exist among the ancient gladiators, nor does it 

 in the case of our modern prize-fighters and pedestrians. 

 Although the bull-dog is stronger and the greyhound faster 

 for their size than the poodle and collie, they are certainly not 

 more intelligent. A long and intimate acquaintance with 

 horses — especially that acquired during my professional horse- 

 breaking tours — convinces me that a comparatively high 

 degree of mental {i.e. reasoning) power is not desirable in a 

 horse ; because it is apt to make him impatient of control by 

 man. A jibber in harness, or a refuser in the hunting field, 

 when the vice has not been induced by pain or infirmity, such as 

 galled shoulders or weak hocks, usually "baulks," because " he 

 knows too much," or at least he knows more than the animal that 

 will pull at the traces or follow the hounds till he drops. So 

 far from a horse taking delight, as he is supposed by novelists 

 to do, in obeying the wishes of man, he very seldom yields to 

 his would-be master without a struggle. If this takes place 

 in the hoped-for manner, when the horse is quite young, the 

 victory on the part of the man is generally easy, and a few 

 repetitions of it quickly confirm the habit of obedience. If, 

 however, the attempted subjugation be delayed till the 



