Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1895-03-08
THE COLOR OF HORSES.

W. 81. Hawkes. writes to the Aus
tralasian as follows on that vexed
question, the color Of horses:
'It is an old saying among horsey
men, "a good horse was never bad
COLOR and yet popular prejudice as
signs oil sorts of good or evil traits Of
character to particular colors. can
quite understand this with those who
do not know better; but that an ex-
pert, like an Indian buyer, should
hold to the popular fallacy is almost
beyond belief, seeing that We have
had innumerable instances, both in
the old country and here, to the con-
trary. It was recently that some four
or five races were won in one day up
on one of our local courses by chest
nuts, and think the fact was men,
toned by one of your contributors,
and they are equally good either in
saddle or harness. Yet there are
numbers who will condemn a chest
nut at once for his color only, be he
ever so perfect in every other respect.
The objection to a gray one can un-
derstand from groom's point of
view, seeing that they are so difficult
to keep free from strains as age
whitens their coats, but for no lack of
good constitution or disposition.
''Some will tell you that roam is
the hardest of all horses, and yet l
venture to assert that greater por-
tion of aged roans does not exist.
Others credit black horses with being
allied to Dragonfels himself for tenn
per and untrustworthiness. The only
objection to him is that he is very
rusty in his winter garb.
white legs are always sign of
weakness, you are told by many. But
think three to one would be fair bet
ting against the one white leg out of
set of four, the others being black.
What about Odd Stockings and All
Fours? Surely if white legs were
sign of weakness, such horses should
break down at very early stage of
their career. Most judges prefer bays
with black points, and it would be
difficult to beat them for general ap-
pearance the year through, but I for
one should certainly deny to them q
monopoly of sound constitutions,
tractability, intelligence. and al, other
virtues. / am quite with Mr.. Basil
Gray in his general remarks, but even
he errs the other way, as he credits
white legs with being indicative of
some peculiar virtue-or, as he says.
'they always denote quality This I
very much doubt. That skillful break
ing and future wise education has most
to do with the character and useful
ness of horse, as well as a man, ire
spective of his color, can, think, he
accepted as settled fact. Renfrew
was splendid tempered horse until
teased to such an extent that he be-
came man. eater. Many a two-legged
brother has had his character spoiled
by those who should have helped to
mako him better. That horses, like
men, have their temperaments goes
without saying. That an eye for the
beautiful leads fanciers to reject pie
bald, skewbald, and horses with wall
eyes and big blazes for hacks or car
riage purposes is not to be wondered
at But that any should condemn
many of our really beautiful chestnuts
is an enigma.
"The objection purely to color is, I
think. much akin to the action of one
who crosses himself when passing in
the street person with oblique
vision. BELLS London Messenger.