46 



CONFORMATION AND ITS DEFECTS 



Fig. 39. — Head carried vertically 



or to the left. For the purpose of draught the vertical disposition of the 

 head does not constitute a serious defect, hut in animals used for riding 

 and driving purposes it is most objectionable. Among other reasons, the 



range of vision in these cases 

 is restricted, and although the 

 ground immediately in front of 

 the animal is well in view, dis- 

 tant objects in the line of vision 

 are not so well observed. Horses 

 of the kind in question usually 

 bend their knees fairly well, Ijut 

 tlie action is short and chopjiy, 

 and lacks liljerty and range of 

 shoulder movement. 



CARRIAGE OF THE HEAD 



The carriage of the head will 

 be determined for the most part 

 by the form of the neck and the 

 way in which it is connected with it. The most finished appearance is 

 given to the animal when the head is carried well up, with a gentle slope 

 from above downward and forward, forming with tlie ground surface an 

 angle of about 45 degrees. In this position the field of vision is not 

 restricted as when the head is directed straight out, or brought towards 

 a vertical position, or where, as sometimes occurs, the chin is directed 

 towards the Ijreast. At such an angle, too, the head enjoys an amount 

 of freedom and mobility which would be impossible in certain extreme 

 departures towards the vertical and horizontal as depicted in figs. 39 and 

 42. It will also be obvious that with the angle of the throat well open, 

 the larynx will have plenty of play and the breathing be correspondingly 

 facilitated. The heacl thus favourably placed confers the further advan- 

 tage on the rider and driver, of more complete restraint and guidance by 

 allowing the bit to fall upon the bars instead of being drawn into the 

 cheeks, where it may be seized by the "grinders" and removed beyond 

 their control. 



"When the head is carried well up in a natural manner, the elevation 

 of the shoulder and the forward swing of the fore-limb as a whole are 

 greatly increased. Moreover, as we have elsewhere pointed out, by raising 

 the head the muscle attached to it {mastoido humeralis), which is mainly 

 concerned in lifting the shoulder, is made to contract through a greater 



