ON BREEDING. 
387 
great, courage and sagacity; hence proceed that quickness of 
perception, accompanied by violent propensities to anger and 
impatience under controul, in most horses showing much “ blood.’' 
“Primus et ire viam, et fluvios tentare minaccs 
Audet, et ignoto sese conmiittere ponti; 
Nec vanos horret strepitus.” 
Horses of this kind, when once properly subdued, are best ma¬ 
naged by temperate and mild treatment. Many persons have 
fatally experienced the bad effects of young horses being intrusted 
to rash ignorant persons, but when broken by those who have 
acquired a thorough knowledge of what the animal is capable of 
performing, then, w 7 ith the most ready submission, 
A 
“ The gen You s horse, 
» Restrain’d and aw’d by man’s inferior force, 
Does to the rider’s will his rage submit, 
And answers to the spur, and owns the bit.” 
A diminutive brain is generally connected with dull senses, or 
what the antients called a phlegmatic languor; these qualities 
are, however, in some measure counterbalanced by being more 
capable of enduring labour. 
The muscular power of animals is considerably influenced by 
the temperament, as far as the different degrees of activity depend . 
Thus, if we see two horses which correspond in figure and 
stature, one possessing great activity, and capable of enduring 
great fatigue, whilst the other, with the same apparent qualifi¬ 
cations for speed and courage, is slow in his muscular movements, 
we conclude that there is a greater activity in the brain of one 
than the other. 
Again, we perceive the difference in two horses: a small one is 
capable of more exertion than a large one, or small men of the 
sanguineous temperament can fight large men of the phlegmatic 
temperament: although the muscles of the latter are much larger, 
yet they are not so active. 
Mr. Kerr’s communication* “ on the willingness of horses for 
work,” will better exemplify the influence of the mind on the body. 
The vital principle appears to act w 7 ith increased activity in small 
rider, but that, when subdued, he could best bo governed by gentle treat¬ 
ment, and would prove docile under proper authority.” 
The correctness with which these remarks w ere made, must strike* the 
unprejudiced and enquiring mind with more than ordinary force, when we 
state that our learned phrenological friend, of course no sportsman, was 
quite unacquainted even with the name of this matchless horset. 
* Veterinarian, April 1830, p. ^05. 
