COLOUR
.—Strange notions have formerly prevailed, and much hypothetical writing and reasoning have been equally produced, to collect sufficient criterions to decide upon, for a proof that the strength and constitutional stamen of the horse depended as much or more upon his colour than his formation. Sound judgment, and rational reflection, would, however, induce a well-founded reason to believe, there is more of fancy or fallacy in such suggestion; and that the old maxim still stands upon firm ground, "a GOOD horse can't be of a bad colour."
The bright and the dark bay, the jet black, the chesnuts, the browns, and the dappled greys, are each proportionally beautiful when in fine condition; and are held preferable in pecuniary estimation to the sorrel, the dun, the roan, the flea-bitten, the strawberry, and the nutmeg or iron-grey. There is a prevalent idea amongst people of a certain class, that many of the latter description are very much inferior in spirited exertion, less calculated for hard work, not such good feeders under fatigue, that they feel the effect of age sooner, that their powers do not continue so long unimpaired, that they are more susceptible of disease, and, lastly, that they are shorter lived, than those called the hardy colours, first mentioned. That there will always be a variety of opinions in mere matter of conjecture cannot be denied, any more than that the framers and supporters of those opinions will magnify mole hills to mountains in defence of their own sagacity; notwithstanding which, it must be admitted, that variety of inferences might be drawn to justify a conclusion, that many of those observations may have the basis of truth for their foundation, if this was the place proper for such elucidation.
Whatever may be the colour of the horse, it is a practice with old sportsmen, and good judges, to reject white heels, and white hoofs, if they can be avoided: experience has proved, beyond all fear of contradiction, that white heels are more tender, and white hoofs more subject to defects, and susceptible of injury, in thrushes, corns, and sand-cracks, than any other; and none more so, than light chesnuts with blazes and white heels: the hoofs are frequently shelly, brittle, narrow at the heel, diseased in the frog, and contracted in the feet. Prudence should prompt every man (in a new purchase) to pay some respect to the lower as well as the upper story; it being evidently more advantageous to reflect in time, than to repent at leisure.