48 HOW TO JUDGE A HOESE. 



insufficient play-room for the muscles of the hind- 

 quarters to the special disadvantage of the motive 

 power. 



Under all circumstances, a horse should be equally 

 broad in front and behind, and the front and hind 

 hoofs should stand equally apart. In motion the 

 legs of the same side should cover each other, and 

 move parallel and at equall distances from an 

 imaginary plane laid vertically through the spine. 



In all paces there is a more or less swaying motion 

 of the body from side to side, as the different legs 

 take their turn in supportiug the weight. It is con- 

 ceivable that, in slow gaits, especially in the walk, 

 these swaying motions will take place in an increased 

 way, and also, that the farther the legs are set 

 apart, the farther sideward they have to push the 

 burden, so that by great width of the frame, the 

 motion of the animal must become swaying from 

 side to side. But, through these swayings, time is 

 lost for the forward movement, therefore speed must 

 suffer by great width of frame. On the other side, 

 the broad formation causes a safe basis, and the 

 body will not easily lose its balance sideways. It 

 affords safety in the turns and makes it easy for the 

 animal to balance its own and the rider's weight in 

 the stops and in gallop. 



In the narrow frame these deviations to the right 



