The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-24
II H E H o R S E..
How to Choose and How to
Use Horses.
What to Seek and What to Avoid in Their
make Up"-Detailsd Description and
Practical Observation-Disclosures
Use.nl to Every Maa Who Owns
or Drives Horse.

horse reauires long and continued observation,
with degree OF natural tact and Keen eye capa-
BILE OF appreciating perfect form or detective acuon;
In fact, q knowledge that can only be acquired by
those wno make 1t a special study or business. AS
q very small proportion OF persons who use or pur
chase horses possess the qualifications the question
L. daily asked. Where can buy a sound horses
1t may be well for the public to know that fault
Jess hOrse-one perfect In form and pace; sound,
kind, free from vice, and suitable alike for driving
and riding-would DO ra1a aus, q species of
sphinx which would surprise the oldest sportsman
and make him doubt the sOundness OF his VISUAL
organs. Yet such is what every 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
blemsh or Woe, although they may all be capable or
doing reasonable amount OF work. Therefore,
the public force the dealer to abjure truth when
they unite and insist that he shall procure and Offer
for sale class OF animals that are absolutely unat
tainable III this market. Under such circumstances
Is not society clearly answerabe for the Dealers
Measurements since men Will only visit him on
certain terms, which practically declare that
HE MUST LIE TO LIVE.
or tell the truth and II the dealer was to
show his stock in trade aud honestly to state their
good and bad points, their vices anu defects, who
to reward his truthfulness would be found willing
to purchase the defective animals? 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
fall to be Interesting TO every man who owns or
drives horse, and will In some measure enable
each to choose for himself with some degree Of
certainty ana satisfaction
THE HEAD.
No part OF the horse more plainly illustrates the
superiority of breed or blood than the heal The
slightest cross becomes evident In Its contour. II
forms a ready test OF equine arlstocracy spirit ana
temper. The head OF every horse should be small
but not out OF proportion with the rest OF his body
= large coarse head Is defect In every PERSONS
eye and It has advantages to compensate for It's
deformity. The head OF the we'll bred horse pos
sesses breadth and fulness in parts where capacity
Is needed. It is SO "can'' everywhere subcuta-
neOus 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 compressed. A fine, tight lip Is q
pretty sure indication OF an active temperament,
and consequently affords measure OF the energy
and durability Of the animal. The nostrils should
be large, to be capable Of allowing the air
have free access TO the lungs. Capaclous lung
would be Of no use II the Oritice which connects
them with the external atmosphere was 80 con-
tracted that they could not become properly filed.
the parts above should enlarge suddenly, In order
give plenty OF breadth to the underjaw as well as
thickness from side to side. This Is point Of great
beauty, as 1t gives breadth to the jaw blade and
EXPANSION FROM EYE TO EYE
while the fneness OF the head Is generally MAN.
tanned. The space between the two blades OF the
underiaw ought to be broad and Deep so as to adj
init the neck and prevent pressure on the windpipe
when the head is fexed. The face. on a side view,
nn1d ho miro INIT In IL
should be broad between the eyes, but should taper
q little toward the ears.
THE EYE
On this organ depends much OF the expression OF
the countenance. 1t Is a most marvellous index TO
the working OF the mind, or instinct within. A
glance at the eye will often reveal the kindly feel
Ing, the sulky disposition the vicious propensity
that Is about to manifest Itself. Tie reason of all
this must be Obvious when we remember that it Is
IN direct communication with the braln-the ma
terial instrument through which the mind in.
Btinct of the animal operates. The eye OF the horse
should he kindly, strong, bold, fearless, yet gentle
looking. 1t should not show much white, as that
often indicates vicious disposition. A horse which
exposes the white OF the eye when looking back
ward Is generally on the alert for mischief, and Is
not 10 be trusted with his heels.
TIE EARS
are good index TO the temper OF the horse TIL ey
act as a sort OF telegraph OF his will. 1ney give us
warning OF his intentions, and often enable when
HOrsemcn generally prefer ears that are rather
emall and situated not too far apart. They should
and expression to the head. and plainly indicate
the animals vigor and endurance.
THE MICK.
In all horses the neck should be fine and arched.
looking where It joins the head. Flrmncss in this
70 wei ' o pur se9 Oh 3
breeding. The setting-on ot the head and neck
be sqSa @ to d the so to
ward as 10 constitute ar-gazer."
THE wINDPIPE SHOULD BE LARGE ..
and rather loosely attached to the parts over which
1t passes. This arrangement VIII increase the free.
DOM OF breathing when the head and neck are
the appearance of lightness is preserved. When the
windplpe keeps free and distinct, all the way from
graceful. The length and thickness OF the neck
may vary little according to the work for which
horses INTENDED for the saddle, should nave the
neck little longer and somewhat lighter than
those INTENDED AIDED tor car purposes In all cases
pugnt to be arched from the seat OF the collar
forwards; the centre h should be much thicker
and 1t must increase in thickness as it
approaches the shoulder; the curve of the under
edge mast bear proportion to the curve OF the
upper, more especially as 1t approaches towards the
head Ewe-necked horses are not pleasant TO look
ht although sometimes they prove very excellent
f0adslers. The manner in which the neck is at.
tacned to the shoulder is deserving OF attention. In
every case 1t should be get well up on the shoulder,
30 as to allow convenient seat Tor the collar below
and thus AVOID pressure on the windpipe or abra.
in making the horse light III hand. In the heavy
draught horse the junction OF the neck and shoulder
may be strong and thick throughout. bat IN all
Others the SPOT on which the collar rests above, IN
front OF the shoulder top, must be followed out.
This Is Indispensable requisite in a horse for the
saddle or light harness.
THE CHEST
bounded In front ny the meek, on each side by the
ribs and shoulder blade, below oy the breast bone,
above by the spine, and behind by The diaphragm,
which separates II from The bowels. A line drawn
from the region OF the kidneys, Immediately behind
the saddle seat and terminating ut a short distance
behind the gths at the breast bone, will point out,
Win toerable accuracy, the position OF the dia-
phragm. 1t Is large expansion OF muscular tissue,
ana stretches across from side 10 side In such way
IS completely to separate the body into two great
cavities. ~ Its motion backwards and forwards
eltner Vi tnese cavltle5 can be lessened or en-
larged as circumstances may REQUIRE. the large
cavity called the chest, which in,ervcnes
between the boundaries