THE SHOULDER. 47 



sequently a gi-eater capacity for cariying hea^y weights 

 at long distances. Thin shoulders are generally admired, 

 but I confess I cannot see any advantage connected 

 with them. If they make the fore-quarters light, they 

 will render them weak in the same proportion. It re- 

 quires a great deal of power to raise the weight of the 

 fore-quarters, in addition to the weight of the rider, in 

 the act of galloping or leaping ; and this power cannot 

 exist without a con-esponding amount of muscular de- 

 velopment. It must therefore be plain, that a thick 

 shoulder is decidedly preferable to a thin one. 



Muscular shoulders must not, on any account, be 

 confounded with wide-set, loose shoulder-blades. The 

 one increases and strengthens action, the other destroys 

 it. There cannot be too much muscle, provided the 

 shoulder-blades are well slanted, and lie close to the 

 ribs. This is a point of infinite importance, and should 

 never be overlooked. It is from neglecting it that all 

 the eiTors have arisen. A heavj-, upright shoulder will 

 suit well for the cart-horse ; but the roadster, hunter 

 and racer, must have their shoulders musculai', tight, 

 and very far throAvn back. This conformation will be 

 sure to produce light and safe action, with immense 

 power. 



I prefer a thick to a thin shoulder only when the 

 thickness arises from muscular development. If it be 

 owing to any other cause, it wiU be an injury rather than 

 an advantage. It must be particularly obseiTed, that the 



