^HE SKELETON. 49 



and left are diminished, but tlie roominess of tlie 

 motion is increased. Narrow built horses are easily 

 thrown off their balance, and, therefore, offer less 

 safety in turning; but they carry the turns out 

 shorter and easier with the assistance of the dis- 

 placement of the weight of the rider. It is very 

 difficult for such horses to balance tho weight 

 in gallop and in stopping. 



Deviations from the normal width between fore 

 and hind hand occur in the following combinations: 



(1) Brooder behind than in front. If the difference is 

 not too great, it has the advantage that, in the gallop 

 and in stopping, the burden is supported on a broad 

 basis, and that, in running, the hind legs pass by 

 easily on the outside of the fore legs ; but, the chest 

 being narrower, the saddle will slip forward on such 

 horses, and the fore legs suffer frequently by 

 their not balancing the weight properly, especially 

 in the trot. 



(2) Broader in front than behind. Here we find, 

 besides the already mentioned disadvantages of the 

 narrow formation, the very serious defect that the 

 hind legs cannot pass by the fore legs, and that, in 

 sharp gaits, injuries to the latter are unavoidable. 

 These horses are not fit for saddle use. 



Sometimes we find horses, though proportionately 

 \>m\i in this respect, that do not follow with their 



