The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-07-20
TIRE EYE OF A HORSE
NOT AN iNFALLlBLE INDEX or THE
ANIMALS CHARACTER.

The Difference Between the "WaN
Rye" and the "Watch Eye"-The
Ears as ~ Gulde--An Experts Meth
OIL of Judging EquInes.
Many persons in forming opinions as to
the character OF O horse regard the eye
as the feature above all others which
tells the tale. but our investigation of the
subject has led US to somewhat different
conclusions, and experience with these
animals has caused US not to place too
much reliance upon its expression in de- !
Gliding as to its vicious traits or docility. |
Notwithstanding that the examination of
the eye is almost an Unborn habit in
judging the character of the creature,
yet it seems that this particular feature |
is often overeStimated.
We have known persons to condemn
horses on account Of the appearance of
their eyes, saying, Il never feel safe with
horse which is always turning the
whites of its eyes at me-" but closer in
spection would have shown the ivory
white to be the result Of absence of the
coloring matter in u part which is usual |
ly of darkened hue and was really the
natural condition of things rather than
a vicious habit. This deviation from the
ordinary course of nature produces q
variety sometimes called watch eye"
occasionally confused, however, with an
other kind called wall eye" And here
it may not be out of place to explain
the difference between these two peculiar
conditions.
The former appears as if Illuminated
by the contrast of the ivory white sur
rounding that part of the eye frequently
called the sight, which in its turn may
be almost black. This somewhat singu-
lar arrangement of things gives the or
gan the appearance Of being ever ON the
outlook, watching, as 1t were. Some
horses have both eyes constructed on
the watch eye plan. and it gives the ami
NAL Il rather wild expression, when. in
point of fact, it may be a very docile
creature.
The wall eye, on the other hand, Is q
condakon due to the absence of coloring
matter, this time in the interior of the
organ, giving it BLUSH or steel gray ap-
pearance which is n striking contrast to
the soft brown eyes so often noticed in
horses.
1t must not be inferred that the eye
should be entirely disregarded in forming
an opinion rs to the character Of horse.
but it should be remembered that its ex-
preston is materially Influenced by the
attitude of the ear. an organ which Is Of
ten lost sight of AZ far as being an index
to the animals character is concerned.
Our experience in judging horses has
led us to regard the ear with much care,
as its attitude and movements indicate
quite a variety Of conditions. Horses
whose ears are ever restless without ap-
parent cause are frequently ultra nervous
creatures, we'll worth watching. Again,
the restless ear will sometimes point to
defective eyesiyht. which may be accom-
panied with partial or total loss of vision,
while animals which throw them closely
back upon the poll are often inclined to
nip or bite. Indeed this very attitude rs
frequently signal for'combat.
On the other hand. horses whose ears
are kept nearly IN the same position most
of the time are more than likely to he
dull, stupid creatures il they are not
totally deaf Deafness In horses Is not a.
oil o eemmoa thhlg. though we oOcasioR-
ally meet with cases in which the ami
mails attention cannot be attracted BY
sound.
The ear OF the horse Is not only u par
tial index to the animals character as far
as vice and docility are concerned. but its
note of danger or warn us to be on the
alert. In this connection a somewhat re-
markable incident was related to the
writer n few years ago by one of the
Union soldiers who escaped through that
famous hole in Libby prison, but was aft
erward retaken. The officer who recap
tured the man subsequently informed him
that his proximity was first revealed by
the ears of his (the officer's) charger.
The story, in brief, was that the escap-
ing soldier and n messmate were conceal
ed in a wood. One night they were close
ly pursued by a southern officer and his
men, and while stealing away from them
as cautiously as they could the cracking
of the dry leaves attracted the attention
of the captains horse. which somewhat
suddenly and without apparent reason
pricked its ears and seemed alarmed. The
officer, taking tho hint. ordered his troop
ers to surround the spot, and by the
morning he had the two fugitives closely
corralled.
Another feature which is regarded by
many us an index to the character of q
horse is the color OF its coat. some believ-
ing that chpstnuts or sorrels are likely to
be high strung. nervous creatures. while
gray horses often get the credit of being
very docile. but our investigation along
this line has not led US to believe that
there is any reliance whatever to be
placed in opinions formed upon such a
theory. 1t is also. contended that color
has much to do with the comfort of the
animal when exposed to the suns rays.
especially in the summer season. but OBJ
servations have not demonstrated the
truth of this superstition. as it has been
clearly shown time and again that dark
horses are able to do just as much work
without showing fatigue rs those Of
lighter color. This INDY be accounted for
by the fact that the coat is q nonconduct-
or within certain limits, SO that it prob
ably makes little difference what color
1t is rs far as the temperature Of the
parts beneath is concerned.
In studying the character Of horse It
may be well not to jump at conclusions.
but observe its habits carefully and give
every link due consideration before COM
ing to a final conclusion.-Professo e.
A. A. Grange in New York Times.