EXTERNAL FORMATION 71 



liable to become a roarer or a whistler. The curve of this part a 

 good deal depends upon the breaking and subsequent riding, differ- 

 ent hands producing a great variation in the carriage ; but if the 

 bones are so formed and connected together that the natural curve 

 has its concavity upwards, it is almost impossible to produce a 

 proper bend in the other direction, though still much may be ac- 

 complished by perseverance. A " ewe neck," as this is called, is 

 very objectionable on this account; but it is very often combined 

 with speed, fine action, and great gameness. More depends upon 

 the junction between the head and neck, than upon the latter in 

 itself, foi by long-continued perseverance, it may be made so supple 

 as to bend at the rider's will; but if the jaws are too narrow to 

 allow the head to bend upon the neck, no means that can be ap- 

 plied will make any impression, and the result is that the mouth is 

 spoiled, and frequently the temper also. A large and free wind- 

 pipe, that is, one of sufficient diameter for the passage of air, and 

 not tied down by any bands of fascia, will be necessary for good 

 wind; and this point should specially be examined. 



In the head is contained the organ of intelligence, which is 

 also the chief seat of that nervous energy which animates the 

 whole body. Here also are the eyes, and the external apertures of 

 the breathing apparatus ; so that the form of this part of the body 

 is of great importance. Size is power, and, ceeteris paribus, a large 

 brain is to be regarded as a most valuable adjunct. Hence the 

 head should be wide above the eyes, as well as between the ears, 

 and somewhat full or projecting in the forehead also, in order to 

 give lodgment to a brain of good volume. It is the great develop- 

 ment of this organ in the thorough-bred and his Eastern relations, 

 that gives the extraordinary stoutness and fire for which they are 

 so remarkable ; and therefore a horse of this breed deficient in 

 volume of brain will be found in these respects no better than his 

 low-bred rivals. In every other part, the weight should be reduced 

 to the minimum necessary for carrying on the functions peculiar 

 to it, save only the eye, a very small one being generally found to 

 be prone to disease. The thorough-bred horse has a beautifully 

 full and gazelle-like eye; but in this organ many half-bred animals 

 are quite equal to him — the eye of the cart-horse, however, show- 

 ing the opposite extreme. A very prominent or unnaturally con- 

 vex eye, called a " buck eye," is not to be regarded as desirable, 

 being an evidence of shortness of sight, and therefore not to be 

 confounded with the full and soft expression indicative of good 

 manners, high courage when roused, and soundness. Next to the 

 eyes in importance are the nostrils, which should be open, and 

 when the horse has gallopped should stand out stiffly, showing the 

 red lining membrane, and admitting the air freely. Of course, 

 even the smallest nostrils are of larger area than the windpipe; 



