CONFORMATION. 431 



In a, well-bred horse the tendons, ligaments, and muscles are generally 

 in keeping with the bones, i. e. large bones usually give attachment to 

 large powerful muscles, tendons, &c. Again the processes of the bones 

 are much more developed, and thereby give a great mechanical advantage 

 to the muscles. In the underbred horse, on the other hand, we fre- 

 quently find large, coarse bones accompanied by small tendons and liga- 

 ments and deficient muscular development. 



The bone of a thorough-bred horse, we may remark, is relatively 

 stronger in proportion to its size that that of a coarse animal. Its struc- 

 ture is more dense and firm. It is said to be an ascertained fact, that an 

 inch cut from the metacarpal bone of a thorough-bred horse will weigh 

 more, when dried, than the same quantity cut from the metacarpal bone 

 of a low-bred animal when similarly dried, although the latter may be 

 much thicker. The difference between them is the same as that which 

 exists between " ivory " and " bone." 



The power and value of a horse increases with his size, provided the 

 relative proportion of the parts and the general compactness are main- 

 tained. This, however, is but rarely the case. A good big horse, it is 

 true, will always beat a good little horse ; but then good big horses are, 

 for the reason given above, few compared with the number of good little 

 horses. 



Very large horses are seldom good for much. There is a certain size 

 beyond which the parts do not seem to grow in due proportion to each 

 other. Again, size and development must not be made up of or be 

 largely interspersed with fat ; but it must arise from natural develop- 

 ment of bone, muscle, and tendon. 



Without good structural formation we cannot expect strength; but it 

 by no means follows that even with it we get the desired qualities. 



884. The Head. 



In considering the various bony structures, we shall commence with 

 the Head. 



The head should be small. A large head acts like a heavy weight at the 

 end of a long lever. It has a tendency to make the horse heavy in hand, 

 though this also much depends on its setting 1 on, and on the obliquity or 

 otherwise of the shoulders. It also operates unfavorably on the pro- 

 gression, is apt to make the horse stumble, and, if he does stumble, may 

 help to over-balance him. A silly remark is sometimes made in favour 

 of big heads, viz. that horses do not go on their heads. This is no doubt 

 true ; but a heavy weight at the end of a long lever like the neck is likely 

 enough to cause a horse to come on his head. 



For riding horses large heads are very objectionable ; but for harness 

 work this point is not of much consequence, except as a matter of appear- 

 ance. A small head is a marked sign of breeding, whilst a large head de- 

 notes an underbred animal. A long, lean head is, however, often found 

 in well-bred horses. 



The well-bred head, though usually small, is wide across the forehead, 



