THE FRAMEWORK OF THE HORSE. 21 



same is applicable to burdens placed on the horse's back, 

 especially a rider, whose frame is subject to its own 

 peculiar motions, some of which are caused by the pro- 

 gressive movement of the bearer. 



It has been already pointed out, that in consequence 

 of the projecting position of the head and neck, espe- 

 cially when the horse stands at ease, a somewhat 

 greater proportion of its total weight falls on the fore 

 legs than on the hinder ones ; and when it depresses 

 its head still more than is represented in Plate I. for 

 instance, for the purpose of grazing the animal puts 

 forward one fore leg, and usually at the same time the 

 hind leg of the opposite side, for the purpose of secur- 

 ing its equilibrium ; and even horses standing still, 

 especially under a load, do the same, in order to rest 

 each pair of legs alternately. 



We learn two facts from this : first, that the fore 

 legs are essentially bearers, and that the hinder ones, 

 although chiefly propellers, are also to a certain extent 

 bearers ; and, secondly, that a perpendicular line falling 

 through the centre of gravity of a horse, as here repre- 

 sented, would lie nearer to the shoulder than the perpen- 

 dicular E F, which falls through the centre of motion 

 that is, the fourteenth dorsal vertebra and would 

 probably cut the twelfth, or perhaps the eleventh, in 

 some horses. Now, instead of going into the scientific 

 detail of centres of gravity, which might prove difficult 

 to some and tedious to most readers, we shall endeavour 

 to render intelligible all that is really important to be 

 known, by a very simple experiment that any one can 

 repeat for themselves, abed, fig. 1, represents a 

 piece of thin board 9 inches long by 4 inches wide, at 

 whose corners four legs of about 7|- inches long are 



