62 CONFORMATION AND ITS DEFECTS 



thorax, whence it follows that the width of the pectoral region, owing to 

 the volume of its muscles, should coincide with a certain degree of respira- 

 tory power. If therefore this region is narrow it becomes desirable to 

 determine to what cause this narrowness is due, whether to that of the 

 thorax directly or to the animal's condition." (Goubaux and Barrier.) 



The same eminent authorities ol)serve that horses endowed with speed 

 should be well open in front. A very narrow breast is always to be re- 

 garded as a defect of conformation. It indicates, they say, a "feeble 

 development of the muscular system, and very often respiratory organs of 

 small am^jlitude ". Captain Hayes, however, is of opinion that a race-horse 

 cannot be too narrow in front, but he insists that his fore-legs shall be 

 "properly shaped and properly put on, and that the action in front shall 

 be true ", which may be taken to mean that he shall possess a fair amount 

 of breast-room. 



No great benefit could result to the function of respiration by the front 

 ribs being placed wide apart; too great width at this point, whether 

 from the size of the muscles or from the space between the riljs, would be 

 a distinct mechanical disadvantage to horses of speed, for by separating the 

 fore-limbs it would unduly enlarge the base of support, and by displacing 

 the centre of gravity from side to side the forward impulses would be 

 weakened and the velocity diminished. 



In heavy horses a deep, wide, muscular breast is a point of superior 

 excellence because it adds to the bulk and increases the power of draught, 

 in which slow l)ut eners-etic movements are most essential. 



o 



CHEST AND ABD(3MEN 



Although having comparatively little concern directly with the 

 mechanism of locomotion, the chest and abdomen require the fullest 

 consideration, not only in relation with the extremities by which they 

 are supported, but also in regard to the organs they enclose. In the 

 chest are contained the central organs of circulation and respiration, 

 heart and lungs; while the abdomen gives lodgment to the more volu- 

 minous apparatus devoted to the digestion and assimilation of the food. 

 It may be said, therefore, that these two regions which mainly compose 

 the trunk are specially related with those organs to whose physiological 

 activity the body owes its energy, whether expressed in the terms of 

 "speed" or "force". It will be manifest from this that whatever may 

 be the type of horse, whether constructed for pace or power, the highest 

 development attainable in these parts should be sought for. As Goubaux 

 and Barrier observe, " The body containing the organs which are most 



