PRINCIPLES OF BITTING. 185 



however, have not alone different weight-carrying capa- 

 bilities, but during motion they respectively bear it 

 better at one period of the stride, than at another. 

 Thus, the hind quarters support it best when they are 

 well under the body ; but, when they are extended to 

 the rear at the conclusion of their stroke, weight placed 

 far back will most materially impede the action of their 

 muscles that draw the hind legs forward and arch the 

 loins. These muscles, I may observe, are much less 

 powerful than are those which give the hind legs their 

 backward sweep. The fore legs, naturally, " act " to the 

 greatest advantage when they are relieved of weight at 

 the moment they are being raised from the ground. 

 The spinal column, from the head to the point of the 

 tail, accommodates itself to the movements of the 

 limbs. Thus, when the hind legs are thrown to the 

 rear, in the gallop, the neck and head are extended. 

 When, on the contrary, the head is ''brought in," 

 and the neck arched, the shoulder-blades go back 

 and the fore legs go forward. Hence it would be 

 advantageous for the rider's weight to be moved slightly 

 to the front when the horse straightens his neck, and 

 to be shifted a little back when he brings it in. The 

 bridle enables this "give and take" action to be 



