48 TYPES AND BREEDS 



black pigment in the hair, resulting in white color and a predis- 

 position to melanotic tumors. On the other hand, gray horses 

 show dandruflF and body dirt less than most other colors. The 

 darker shades are most preferred, although in the hunting field, 

 on the race track, or even in the show ring a beautifully dappled 

 light gray horse will invariably catch the eye. History has done 

 much to offset the prejudice against gray horses. Grays are cross 

 matched in pairs with blacks, chestnuts, and browns. 



Boan of either shade is becoming more popular or prevalent 

 in draft horses, due perhaps to the increasing number of Belgian 

 grades which come to market, roan being common in that breed. 

 In harness and saddle horses, red roan especially is a rather 

 pleasing though not common color. 



Piebalds and skewbalds are popular colors in ponies, and in 

 sporting fours and tandems where striking colors are a feature ; 

 also for advertising wagons and the circus, where it is desirable 

 to have them consjDicuous. A piebald is a black and white com- 

 bination, while any color other than black, such as bay, brown, 

 or chestnut, combined with white, constitutes a skewbald. 



Cream, dun and mouse colors are generally in disfavor ex- 

 cept for some special purpose, although the buckskin, a darker 

 shade of dun which is distingaiished from cream by black points, 

 has a reputation for stamina. 



White marldrigs are most desirable in horses of the show 

 type, since they enhance the brilliancy of a flashy performance. 

 Even here they are objectionable in ladies' classes. 



Blade points are, as a rule, considered indicative of greater 

 wearing qualities, and it is a fact that the blue horn of the black 

 foot is more dense and tough than the white. White points 

 behind are less objectionable than in front. In fact they are 

 generally considered to improve a horse's appearance as does 

 some white in his countenance. White markings, wherever they 

 maybe, should be as symmetrical as possible and sharply defined. 

 Large, irregular white patches or splashes are extremely 

 objectionable. 



Odd markings are undesirable. The leprous spots are the 

 small, more or less regular areas, completely denuded of pig- 

 ment, that are seen about the muzzle, the eyes, and under tlie tail. 



