126 
LECTURES ON HORSES. 
the countenance did not warrant it, very likely most unjustifiably. 
Generally speaking, however, a small head turns out to be 
A BLOOD Head — that which the nearest approaches the Arabian, 
and yet has now become so congenerous with, and characteristic of, 
our breed of race-horses, that it may be said to be the peculiar attri- 
bute of the thorough-bred horse. Of all heads this is the one to be 
lauded and valued. There can be no doubt about family when this 
makes its appearance. At the same time that it possesses breadth 
and fulness in parts where capacity is needed, it is so “ lean ” 
every where, that every vein and muscle in it may be distinguished 
through the skin. Ample across the forehead, wide between the 
ears, small and yet expanding at the muzzle, capacious in the 
throat, and broad though elegantly curved at its junction with the 
neck, the head of the racer is at once perfect and beautiful, and 
full of expression, and fire, and sagacity. Blood and action, speed 
and bottom, are all the natural attributes of a horse having such a 
head; and though these brilliant qualities may be in a measure 
sullied by temper, still, in a general way, it is to be regarded as 
emblematic of all that is good and valuable in the horse species. 
For all this we stand indebted to the Arabian, the radix of our blood 
stock : although we have, it must be allowed, greatly improved upon 
the original breed, still for our present unequalled turf-horse are 
we as much in debt to the Arabian as the farmer or the horticul- 
turist is for his improved vegetable productions to the exotic or 
graft from another country. 
We have been considering the most eligible size and shape, or 
kind of head ; but we have said nothing yet about what, perhaps, 
is of more consequence than either its magnitude or form, or what, 
more properly speaking, may in a measure comprehend both, viz. 
the face or expression of the head — the countenance of the horse, 
if I may be allowed the phrase. To persons not conversant with 
or observant of horses, it is quite incredible what an endless variety 
there is in this respect; almost as many shades of difference as 
exist in the human countenance. Take, for example, the House- 
hold Brigade of Cavalry, all blacks, and nearly a thousand strong, 
drawn up in line, and examine with philosophic eye the horses’ 
faces : no two will be found alike ; every individual will present 
his own peculiar expression ; and by that look, always indicative of 
property or propensity of some sort, will he best be distinguished 
out of a herd of other horses of the same colour. The common 
mode of distinguishing horses is by colour and marks, and size and 
shape, and so forth; but this is not the true unerring characteristic: 
that is to be found in the face alone. In many animals there is an 
evident difference bet ween the countenances of the- male and female ; 
a remark that holds good with horses so long as they continue un- 
