92 



CONFORMATION AND ITS DEFECTS 



In consideriug this diftereuce in the weight of the fore and hind 

 extremity Goubaux and Barrier have succeeded in showing how materially 

 it is influenced by the height of the withers. In a series of experiments, 

 the particulars of which are given below, they demonstrate that in 

 horses low in front the fore-limbs ai'e permanently surcharged with weight, 

 and in proportion as this condition exists so will be the liability to undue 

 wear and tear of the fore-legs, especially where the nature of the occupation 

 compels the imposition of weight on the back; and conversely, that a 

 low croup favours the imposition of undue weight on the hind-limbs. 



From the accompanying tables it will be seen how the distribution of 

 weight on the fore and hind extremities may be increased or diminished 

 by certain attitudes which the animal may assume, as well as by the 

 fixed conditions of natural conformation. 



These changes are but some of many more or less pronounced, which 

 mu.st necessarily result from displacements of the centre of gravity 

 occurring in the various phases of locomotion. 



The manner and the importance of these displacements will be best 

 under.stood when considered in relation to that condition which is known 

 as equilibrium. 



