THE SKELETON. 13 



shoiilder-joiut, and which take their issue from the 

 neck. But the neck must be set-up high through 

 the length of its vejiebrce, besides a well-formed curve 

 of the withers. 



A high set-up neck, by a flat arch of the vertebrae 

 of the withers, gives the horse a good enough appear- 

 ance, but goes on cost of the bearing power of the 

 back. 



FUNCTIONS OF THE HIND LEGS. 



Considering the functions of the hind legs (see 

 Fig. 14), we find that their activity in the footing, 

 supporting and propelling of the burden, is best 

 compared with that of elastic springs. In motion 

 this burden inclines forward, the lower part of 

 the spriug, the hoof, is brought forward under the 

 body to support its centre of gravity. 



In this first moment the leg performs a swing 

 forward around the hip-joint. 



In the second moment the hoof foots on the 

 ground and the leg takes up the burden. 



In the third moment the body moves forward over 

 the hoof resting on the ground ; the upper part of the 

 leg moves over and around the lower part of the leg. 

 The spring acts, pushing ; the more it gets relieved 

 of the burden the more powerful it pushes the same 

 forward, and the farther it is moved forward the 



