Mammal Study 



287 



savage man for theii 

 flesh, but were later 

 ridden. At present, 

 there are wild horses 

 in herds on the plains 

 of Tartary; and there 

 are still sporadic herds / 

 of mustangs on the 

 great plains of our \\ 

 own country, although 

 for the most part, they \ W 

 are branded and be- \\ 

 long to someone, even ^ 

 though they live like \ 

 wild horses ; these 

 American wild horses 

 are supposed to be 

 descendents of those 

 brought over icentu- 

 ries ago by the Span- 

 iards. The Shetland 

 ponies are also wild 



Four-toed horse of the Eocene period. 

 After Charles R. Knight. 



in the islands north of Scotland, and the zebras roam the plains of Africa 

 the most truly wild of all. In a state of wildness, there is always a stal- 

 lion at the head of a herd of mares, and he has to win his position and keep 

 it by superior strength and prowess. Fights between stallions are terrible 

 to witness, and often result in the death of one of the participants. The 

 horse is well armed for battle; his powerful teeth can inflict deep wounds 

 and he can kick and strike hard with the front feet ; still more efficient 

 is the kick made with both hind feet while the weight of the body is borne 

 on the front feet, and the head of the horse is turned so as to aim well the 

 terrible blow. There are no wild beasts of prey which will not slink away 

 to avoid a herd of horses. After attaining their growth in the herd with 

 their mothers, the young males are forced by the leader to leave and go off 

 by themselves; in turn, they must by their own strength and attractions, 

 win their following of mares. However, there are times and places where 

 many of these herds join, making large bands wandering together. 



The length of the horse's leg was evidently evolved to meet the need 

 for flight before fierce and swift enemies, on the great ancient plains. 

 The one toe, with its strong, sharp hoof, makes a fit foot for such a long 

 leg, since it strikes the ground with little waste of energy and is sharp 

 enoughnot to slip, but it is not a good foot for marshy places ; a horse will 

 mire where a cow can pass in safety. The development of the middle toe 

 into a hoof results in lifting the heel and wrist far up the leg, making them 

 appear to be the knee and elbow, when compared with the human body. 



The length of neck and head are necessary in order that an animal, 

 with such length of leg as the horse, may be able to graze. The head of 

 the horse tells much of its disposition ; a perfect head should be not too 

 ■iarge, broad between the eyes and high between the ears, while below the 

 eyes, it should be narrow. The ears, if lopped or turned back, denote a 

 treacherous disposition. They should point upward or forward ; the ears 

 laid back is always a sign that the horse is angry; sensitive, quick-moving 



