72 THE HORSE. 



but there is generally a coincidence between their size and that of 

 the internal passages higher up, and on that account a patent nos- 

 tril is to be looked for with some anxiety. I have known some 

 horses with small nostrils possess excellent wind, because in them 

 the internal conformation was of full size, and if, as I before re- 

 marked, the area of the two nostrils together is always much 

 greater than that of the windpipe, they cannot in themselves offer 

 any impediment to breathing. Without a trial, however, as the 

 internal passages cannot be measured, the size of the nostrils must 

 be accepted as the best guide to that of the more essential parts, 

 and practically this is sufficient for general purposes, only inferior 

 to an actual trial. The ears should be moderately long, thin, and 

 not inclined to "lop." The muzzle should be fine; but in those 

 very pointed jaws, which their owners regard with so much pride, 

 as " small enough to drink out of a quart pot," the nostrils are 

 seldom large enough, and hence they are to be regarded with great 

 suspicion, beautiful as they undoubtedly are. A slight concavity 

 in the front line, descending from the forehead to the front of the 

 muzzle, is regarded as a mark of breeding, and, if not too marked, 

 deservedly so; but a very deep concavity is often attended with a 

 vicious temper. Lastly, a lean and wide lower jaw should not be 

 omitted as a grand desideratum ; the former point is merely a sign 

 of breeding, but the latter is (as I before remarked in describing 

 the neck) essential to the proper bending of the one part on the 

 other. The experienced horseman always passes his fingers be- 

 tween the angles, and if there is not plenty of room, he knows that 

 the head cannot be well carried, and he is inclined to suspect that 

 the larynx will be impeded in its functions, and that, consequently, 

 respiration will be affected either by roaring, whistling, or some or 

 other of the many forms of " making a noise." With all these 

 dimensions, which may, comparatively, readily be described, there 

 should be combined a cheerful and airy expression of countenance, 

 without any appearance of vice. The thorough-bred horse is not 

 often too sluggish, and it is not in that direction that we should 

 look for infirmities of temper ; nor is it easy to describe the marks 

 or signs by which vice of any kind can be at once recognised from 

 the mere expression. Still the horseman will do well to study the 

 countenance of this as well as other breeds of horses, and he will 

 find, in course of time, that no little assistance will be derived 

 from it. 



The Shoulder-blade is, like the head, peculiarly formed in 

 the Eastern horse, having greater obliquity in its position, and a 

 superior length and breadth, as compared with all others. For the 

 reasons which maybe alleged for the desirability of these character- 

 istics. I must refer to pages 21-22, where I have already given them. 

 Suffice it to observe, that an obliquely-placed and broad blade, well 



