Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-04-21
Written for the Monitor.
WHAT KNOW ABOUT HORSES.

Written for the Monitor.
WHAT KNOW ABOUT HORSES.
The essential points in the farm of
horse differ as much as the use he is put
to, vary. That which would approach
perfection in one variety, would be de-
fective in another. The finest formed
racer that ever bounded over the turf at
Newmarket, would cut a sorry picture
in London coal wagon; while one of
Barclays splendid specimens of the
heavy draught-horse, would be even
more misplaced if entered for the Derby.
To be able to form tolerable correct
estimate of the capacity of each variety
of the horse, to perform the duties re-
quired of it, from view of the general
figure constitutes the very feather in
the cap of the horse amateur. But to
accomplish it requires much experience
and a long habit of observation, compar-
ison and reflection. You will find that
a heavy shoulder in a horse indicates
that he is slow and apt to tumble, be-
cause this heaviness results from the up
right position of the shoulder blade,
which position prevents it from revolving
freely, and so retains the forward motion
of the foot. The main condition of
swiftness is, that the shoulder bone
should be oblique, and that the transi-
ton from the neck to the shoulders, in
stead of being abrupt, should display
smooth undulating surface You will
find, also, that the appearance of much
white in the eye of horse indicates a
vicious nature, because high-tempered
horse constantly looks about apprehen-
sive of danger. or desiring to do some
mischief. The quick motion of the eye
ball in opposite directions exposes an
unusually large surface of the white,
which thus becomes an evidence of the
temper of the animal.
When horses are early and hard work
ed, they never arrive at their full size,
because the earthly deposit of the bones
is usually proportional to the wants of
the animal, and is most abundant in
those whose exertions are considerable,
and from this very circumstance when
the beast is subjected to premature ex-
ertions the consultations of the bones
become more complete, before the softer
portion has increased to its full dimen-
sion, and hence growth is arrested.
The various colors of horses would
seem to be truly original and inherent,
for such of them as have from state
domestication been suffered again to run
wild, retain the color they carried with
them, although their form has altered
by being submitted to the agencies of
CliHdtt. NolUlloI Have IHo oIlSludl
horses of different countries, according
to accounts of travellers, exhibited any
individual Characteristic The horses
Of the east are not darker than those of
the north, on the contrary we have white
Arabians, and we procure the darkest
breeds from the north of Europe, while
in Russia light bay is as common color
as any other. Geographical distribution
is not without its influence on the hair,
for our heaviest horses from the north
ern part of Europe are very frequently
black but a full coal black horse is
seldom found. Age has likewise its
powerful effect on tinting the hair: that
Of the colt alters many shades, sometimes
growing lighter. while in some cases il
grows darker. But the alteration which
takes place between that of full growth
and old age is inyaribly from a darker
to lighter hue.
THE FIDELITY OF HORSE
In the darkness of the night, wher
the traveller knows not the way, and
would be incapable of reaching home
his faithful animal will carry him il
safety through the most difficult places
This is a curious point in physiology
: but it is as true as it is worthy of atten
! ton. The firm and entire hoof of TIL
} horse, even when shod with iron, seem
] to acquire in the dark a sense of touch
} equal to the most delicate finger |
5 the horse and the rider have been lon,
acquainted with each other, and hav
made frequently nocturnal journeys i
!. is of no consequence. if the journey b