I was lucky enough to meet and visit with Ben Green
on several occasions. We talked quite a bit about the research he
did ob horse colors and why we see what they look like. His work was
done in the early 40s and before with primitive equipment. I'd sure like
to see more work to extend what he found. There is a lot of info
on colors out there but in the same vein he workede on.
His other books are just wonderful. Horse
Tradin, More Horse Tradin, Wild Cow Tales, A Thousand Miles of
Mustanging, Village Horse Doctor West of the Pecos, and one little
one, Horse Conformation, that is eye opening. The last was
privately printed, no idea if it can be found.
I can hear his voice in every word.
While I'm not sure every story happened to him, they surely took
place, they are so typical of the time and place. Well worth the effort to
find if you can.
I've experienced that, too. Also,
some horses of particular color have more sensitive skin. My chestnut is much
more sensitive than any of our bays or grays.
.
Speaking of horse colors, if anyone wants
to read a fascinating book on that subject, read Ben Green's "The Color of
Horses." Green was a vet, and a horseman, who did extensive research on the
correlation between the color of the horse's hair and the density of his
hooves and toughness of his skin. Both scientific and interesting.
Illustrated with beautiful paintings.
