246 THE TRUNK. 



time thick just below the withers (p. 270). As these 

 facts are perhaps not very generally known, it is advis- 

 able, for simplicity's sake, to discuss the subject of width 

 between the fore legs and that of shoulders separately. 

 For further remarks on " thickness of shoulders," see 

 page 270. 



Mr. H. Wilton points out to me that horses vary very 

 little — comparatively to their depth of body, from top of 

 withers to brisket — in their respective " width through the 

 heart," which is the term applied by saddlers to the 

 horizontal and transverse measurement through the chest, 

 at the spots touched by the ends of the points of the 

 tree (supposing that they are both of full length) of a 

 properly-made and well-fitting side-saddle, when it is 

 placed in correct position on the animal's back. The 

 point at which the measurement is taken is indicated by the 

 letter ^?, in Fig. 350. The expression ^ 'width through the 

 heart" is not quite correct; because the heart is situated 

 lower down, and more to the front, than the line in question. 

 The term is, however, well understood, and serves its pur- 

 pose. Mr. Wilton gives me the following average measure- 

 ments " through the heart," which he has obtained during 

 a long experience in the fitting of side-saddles : — 



19I inches, for a very heavy-weight hunter (maximum). 



18 ,, ,, 15 or i6-stone hunter. 



lyi ,, ,, 13-stone hunter. 



17 J ,, ,, hght-weight hunter, or thorough-bred. 



16J ,, ,, Arab, 14. i or 14.2 high. 



These figures certainly prove that comparative width of 

 breast, or width between the fore legs, is not dependent, or 

 only to a very slight extent, on width of chest. As this 

 measurement of " width through the heart " is taken 

 behind the shoulders, their condition can in no way 

 affect it. In considering the list of measurements given 

 by Mr. Wilton, we must bear in mind that the more weight 

 a hunter can carry, the '^ deeper " will his chest be, as a 

 rule, and that light-weight hunters and thorough -breds are 



