48 



CONFORMATION AND ITS DEFECTS 



concave. The form of the neck not only influences the carriage of tlie head, 

 but may in some measure conduce to speed and modify action. The hrst 

 two varieties are especially favourable to rapid movement since they 

 allow of a more considerable extension of the head lieyond the base of 

 .support than the others. 



When the neck is arched the head is disposed towards the vertical 

 position, sometimes so much so as to materially limit the range of vision, so 

 that objects at a distance are not observed. Moreover, " the arched and 



the swan neck, by their ten- 

 dency to curve the A^ertebraB in 

 the shape of an S, diminish 

 the length of the neck, move 

 the centre of gravity backward, 

 and are more favourable to its 

 elevation and depression as 

 well as to the lateral displace- 

 ment of the trunk. They also 

 oft'er advantages in the saddle- 

 horse, in which grace, bril- 

 liancy, and extent of move- 

 ment are preferred" (Goubaux 

 and Barrier). Arching of the 

 neck, although for the most 

 part a natural conformation, 

 may also be imparted by ap- 

 propriate schooling, or increased 

 where it already exists. The training resorted to for this purpose has the 

 further advantage that the various mancieuvres of which it consists impart 

 to the neck a suppleness and mobility which greatly enhance the rapidity, 

 elegance, and precision of the animal's movements altogether. 



Fig. 41.— Straight Neck 



CARRIAGE 



Whatever may be the form of the neck, the appearance as well as the 

 special fitness of an animal for any particular purpose will be greatly in- 

 fluenced by the manner in which it is carried. 



In this connection it will be found to vary towards the high or ver- 

 tical position on the one hand, or the low or horizontal position on the 

 other. In either direction extreme examples are objectionable, although in 

 estimating the extent of depreciation from either caus«, compensating con- 

 ditions, if any exist, must be fully taken into account. A neck well carried 



