THE SKELETON. 11 



an increased freedom of action. As these latter 

 qualities are more frequently found with mares than 

 with horses, the disadvantage of the former beiug 

 generally overbuilt is of less consequence. 



If, on the other side, the fore legs stand higher 

 than the hind legs, the horizontal line of the back 

 will be lost to the disadvantage of the hind legs. 



The spinal column will curve upward in all cases 

 where both fore and hind legs are placed under the 

 body, whilst the farther the horse extends its fore 

 and hind legs, the deeper the back will sink down- 

 ward, therefore, a horse at full speed will at one 

 moment curve up its back and at the next moment 

 unbend it again. For this reason must every faulty 

 construction of the spinal column, deviating from the 

 horizontal — the supports being equally high — dimin- 

 ish the ability of the horse to curve up or bend 

 down its back. A back between equally high sup- 

 ports, but curved up by nature, is called a liuncli or 

 roach hack. It will not admit the bending down 

 under the horizontal line, therefore disabling horses 

 of this kind to cover much ground in sharp gaits. 

 But we must not mistake the hunch back for the 

 bent-up back. Horses of a powerful short back and 

 high swelling loins are oftentimes found to bend up 

 their back under the rider and to unbend it only 

 after prolonged work, -^" 



