Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-18

From the New York Herald.
THE HORSE.

To become perfect or even a good
judge of horse requires long and contin-
ued observation, with a degree Of natural
tact and a keen eye. capable of appreci-
ating a perfect form or defective action ;
in fact, knowledge that can only be ac-
quired by those who make it a special
study or business. As very small pro-
portion of persons who use or purchase
horses possess the qualifications, the ques-
ton IS daily asked, where can l buy q
sound horse?
1t may be well for the public to know
that faultless horse-one perfect in form
and pace; sound. kind. free from vice,
and snltaDie for either driving or riding
would be adra acis, species of
sphinx, which would surprise the Oldest
sportsman and make him doubt the sound
ness of his visual organs. Yet such is
what every man expects to find when he
goes in search of horse. Eighty out of
every hundred horses brought to this city
and sold here have some defect, blemish
or vice, although they may all be capable
of doing a reasonable amount Of work.
Therefore, the public force the dealer to
abjure the truth when they unite and in
sist that he shall procure and offer for sale
class of animals that are absolutely un-
attainable in the market. Under such
circumstances is not society clearly an
swerable for the dealers measurements.
since men viii only visit him on certain
terms, which practically declare that
HE MUST LIE TO LIVE,
or tell the truth and starve? If the deal
er was to show his stock in trade and hon
pSflv- m kaf fhofr rvooI and hoI ,,osnfc
their vices and defects, who, to reward
to purchase the defective animalsp No
one.
The following description of the several
parts Of horse and the recommendations
as to the choice of different animals for
any given kind of work cannot fail to be
to every man who owns or
drives horse, and will in some measure
enable each to choose for himself with
some degree of certainty and satisfaction:
THE HEAD.
No part of the horse more plainly illus
trates the superiority of breed or blood
than the head. The slightest cross be-
comes evident in its contour. 1t forms a
ready test of equine aristocracy. spirit and
temper. The head of every horse should
be small, but not out of proportion with
the rest of his body. A large, coarse
head is defect liz every person's eye, and
it has no advantage to compensate for its
The head of the well bred
horse possesses breadth and fullness in
parts where capacity are needed. 1t is so
clean" everywhere subcutaneOus veins
and muscles may be distinguished through
the skin. The muzzle should be fine and
of moderate length, the mouth invariably
deep, for receiving and retaining the bit,
and the lips rather thin and firmly COM
pressed. A fine. tight lip is pretty sure
indication of an active temperament. and
affords measure of the
energy and durability of the animal. The
nostrils should be large, so as to be capa-
BILE Of allowing the air to have free access
to the lungs. Capacious lungs would be
Of no use, if the orifice which connects
them with the external atmosphere was SO
that they could not become
filled. The muzzle ought to be
fine good way up, and the parts above
should enlarge suddenly. in order to give
plenty of breadth to the underjaw. as we'll
as thickness from side to side. This is a
point of great beauty, as it gives breadth
to the jawblade and
EXPANSION FROM EYE TO EYE,
while the fineness of the head is generally
The space between the
two blades of the underjaw ought to be
broad and deep. so as to admit the neck
and prevent pressure on the windpipe
when the head is fexed. The face, on a
side view, should be straight, or a very
little concave; it should be broad between
the eyes, but should taper little toward
the ears.
THE EYE.
On this organ depends much of the ex-
preston of the countenance. 1t is a most
index to the working of the
mind, or instinct within. A glance at the
eye will often reveal the kindly feeling,
the sulky disposition or the vicious pro-
pensity that is about to manifest ITSELF
The reason of all this must be obvious,
when we remember that it is in direct
communication with the brain-the mate
rial instrument through which the mind or
instinct of the animal operates. The eye
of the horse should be kindly, strong,
bold, fearless, yet gentle looking. 1t
should not show much white. as that often
indicates a vicious disposition. A horse
which exposes the white of the eye when
look;h., backward is generally on the alert
for mischief, and is not to be trusted with
his heels.
THE EARS
are q good index to the temper of the
horse. They act as a sort of telegraph OF
his will. They give us warning OF his
intentions and often enable US, when the
animal is .malevolent, to prevent their
execution. Horsemen generally prefer
ears that are rather small and situated not
too far apart. They should be lively in
motion and erect; they give animation
and expression to the head, and plainly
indicate the animals vigor and endurance.
THE NECK.
In all horses the neck should be firm
and arched-looking where it joins the
head. Firmness in this locality adds
greatly to the beauty of the horse, and
generally speaks we'll for the purity of his
breeding. The setting-on of the head and
neck should be such as to cause the nose
to project a little forward; still it must
not be pushed SO far forward as to consti-
tute a "star-gazer."
THE WINDPIPE SHOULD RE LARGE