228 THE LOINS AND WITHERS. 



easy goers, for this curve inward must necessarily increase the play of the 

 joints of the back : but in the same proportion they are weak and liable to 

 sprain. To the general appearance of the horse, this defect is not in any great 

 degree injurious ; for the hollow of the back is uniformly accompanied by a 

 beautifully arched crest. 



A few horses have the curve outward. They are said to be roach-backed, 

 from the supposed resemblance to the arched back of a roach. This is a very 

 serious defect ; altogether incompatible with beauty, and materially diminish- 

 ing the usefulness of the animal. It is almost impossible to prevent the saddle 

 from being thrown on the shoulders, or the back from being galled ; the elas- 

 ticity of the spine is destroyed ; the rump is badly set on; the hinder legs 

 are too much under the animal; he is continually overreaching, and his head 

 is carried awkwardly low. 



THE LOINS. 



The loins are attentively examined by every good horseman. They can 

 scarcely be too broad and muscular. The strength of the back, and, especially, 

 the strength of the hinder extremities, will depend materially on this. The 

 breadth of the loins is regulated by the length of the transverse or side pro- 

 cesses of that part. The bodies of the bones of the loins are likewise larger 

 than those of the back ; and a more dove-tailed kind of union subsists between 

 these bones than between those of the back. Every provision is made for 

 strength here. The union of the back and loins should be carefully observed, 

 for there is sometimes a depression between them. A kind of line is drawn across, 

 which shows imperfection in the construction of the spine, and is regarded as 

 an indication of weakness. 



THE WITHERS. 



The spinous or upright processes of the dorsal vertebrae, or bones of the 

 back, above the upper part of the shoulder, are as remarkable for their length 

 as are the transverse or side processes of the bones of the loins. They are 

 flattened and terminated by rough blunted extremities. The elevated ridge 

 which they form is called the withers. It will be seen in the cuts (pp. 108 and 

 221), that the spine of the first bone of the back has but little elevation, and 

 is sharp and upright. The second is longer and inclined backward ; the third 

 and fourth increase in length, and the fifth is the longest ; they then gradually 

 shorten until the twelfth or thirteenth, which becomes level with the bones of 

 the loins. 



High withers have been always, in the mind of the judge of the horse, 

 associated with good action, and generally with speed. The reason is plain 

 enough : they afford larger surface for the attachment of the muscles of the 

 back ; and in proportion to the elevation of the withers, these muscles act with 

 greater advantage. The rising of the fore parts of the horse, even in the trot, 

 and more especially in the gallop, depends not merely on the action of the 

 muscles of the legs and shoulders, but on those of the loins, inserted into the 

 spinous processes of these bones of the back, and acting with greater power in 

 proportion as these processes, constituting the withers, are lengthened. The 

 arm of the lever to which the power is applied will be longer ; and in 

 proportion to the length of this arm will be the ease and the height to which 

 a weight is raised. Therefore good and high action will depend much on 

 elevated withers. 



It is not difficult to understand how speed will likewise be promoted by the 

 same conformation. The power of the horse is in his hinder quarters. In 

 them lies the main spring of the frame, and the fore-quarters are chiefly ele- 



