60 CONFORMATION AND ITS DEFECTS 



of the pelvis, which forms its bony base; and although it is impossible to 

 define the precise measure of power or speed which may be evolved under 

 dilferent degrees of inclination, it is fully recognized that while the former 

 of these two forces is favoured by great obliquity, the latter is best de- 

 veloped by a direction approaching the horizontal. 



When the conformation of this region is marked by great oljliquity the 

 horse is designed to " employ great force at a slow pace, while with the 

 croup disposed horizontally he is capable of developing great speed, but 

 fails when called upon to carry weight or cover a long course. For light 

 carriage work such a conformation may suffice, but it is not adapted for 

 heavy draught. 



" Between these two extremes there are numerous intermediary types 

 which may with sufficient ease be grouped into three categories as follows : — 



" 1. Saddle-horses which are obliged to move a more or less heavy weioht 

 carried on their back, at a sufficiently great velocity, whether at the trot 

 or the gallop. Those which are destined for the turf should have a croup 

 approaching the horizontal ideal of 25 degrees, but with a more ol)lique 

 ilium (30 degrees) for the purpose of giving solidity to the structure."* 

 anterior to it. Trotters are benefited by a somewhat more oblique 

 direction of the ilium (35 degrees). As to hunters and cavalry horses, u.sed 

 exclusively under the saddle, and from which great strength of the loins 

 and posterior quarters but less speed are demanded, their croup should 

 have an intermediary position between the oblique croup of the draught- 

 horse and the horizontal one of the thorough l)red. 



"2. Driving-horses employed on the track or as animals of luxury, whose 

 exclusive gait is the trot without any weight on the back, can without 

 disadvantage have a horizontal croup. 



" This is appreciated as a quality of beauty and fashion as well as for 

 its mechanical advantages in rapid locomotion. 



" 3. In draught-horses for fast, heavy work or mixed motors, combining 

 at the same time force from their bulk and their muscular power and a 

 certain speed from their relative muscular activity ... a croup slightly 

 more inclined than that of the cavalry horse or the trotting horse will 

 fulfil the required conditions " (Goubaux and Barrier). 



Excessive inclination or backward slope of the croup constitutes the 

 unsightly condition known as "goose-rump". Such a conformation, al- 

 though not inconsistent with ordinary work, is incapable of great speed. 



In the heavy horse it is the least objectionable, for although by such 

 construction the force of impulsion is transmitted too much in the vertical 

 direction to yield its fullest effects, the powers of draught may still be very 

 considerable. 



