152 HEAD AND NECK 



of the eye), on account of the iris being abnormally small 

 I may mention that, under ordinary conditions, the human 

 eye always shows a good deal of white, but that the horse's 

 eye, as a rule, does not do so, except when its glance is 

 directed to the rear or inwards. Some game, honest horses 

 (like St. Gatien, for instance) show, without looking in a 

 backward direction, a certain amount of white of the eye, 

 which, when it is of a constant reddish tinge, is thought by 

 some to mark hardiness of constitution and staying power. 



Hollows above the Eyes. — The existence of deep 

 hollows above the eyes is objectionable, for it denotes that 

 the animal is old and more or less worn out, or that either 

 its sire or dam was well advanced in years when it was 

 bred, and, consequently, that it is somewhat wanting in 

 vigour. 



Nostrils. — The nostrils should be thin, flexible and of 

 large capacity, so as to suggest the possession of large air 

 passages. During rest they should be more or less closed 

 If they are kept constantly dilated when the breathing ought 

 to be tranquil, we may infer that the animal has something 

 wrong with his *'wind." 



Lips. — The lips should be lean and comparatively thin ; 

 should possess considerable power of movement ; and, as a 

 rule, should be kept closed, for the sake of appearance. 

 We may generally consider that a pendant condition of the 

 lower lip indicates want of vigour; for it is much more 

 frequently observed among old horses than among young ones. 

 Richard considers that it is often inherited. *^We have," 

 says he, '' ridden horses full of energy, which had a pendant 

 lower lip. Delphine, formerly a brood mare at the stud at 

 Pin, daughter of Massoud and of a Selim mare, dam of 

 Eylau, had a drooping lower lip, and all her foals took after 

 her in this respect. She, however, possessed energy and 

 blood which have left their mark." Some horses have great 



