12 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



The contrary fault is the deep, and, in a higher de- 

 gree, the swayhack. Horses of this structure lack 

 the power of curving up the back. If a long back 

 is added to this deficiency, then it is an unmistak- 

 able sign of weakness, and the horse is not fit to 

 carry heavy weight. In such a back the deepest 

 point is generally in the centre. Horses of a short 

 but deep back have the lowest point frequently right 

 behind the shoulders, and sometimes above the loins. 

 As weak as such a back may appear, it is more an 

 eyesore, as such horses oftentimes show good quali- 

 ties, provided their hindquarters are powerful 

 enough to take up the increased weight thrown upon 

 them. Horses with very weak backs oftentimes 

 curve up the same spasmodically under heavy 

 weight, thereby deceiving the inexperienced. Light 

 riding, in free gaits and on soft ground, will show 

 very soon whether power or weakness is the reason 

 for the curving up. 



The foremost part of the column of the vertebrae, 

 which is not destined to carry weight, namely, the 

 " Neck,'' is, through the kind of its connection with 

 the spinal column, of high importance for the free 

 action of the forehand. A high set-up neck is of 

 great value, not only through the relief it gives to 

 the forehand, but also through the favorable direc- 

 tion for the contraction of the muscles, lifting tho 



