CONFORMATION. 435 



When the spinous processes of the anterior vertebrae are very long, we 

 have what is termed a " fine " wither ; but this formation is frequently 

 deficient in muscle. The withers must be supplied with a due amount of 

 muscular power, and therefore should not be unduly fine. Horses with 

 very fine high withers, though the formation is handsome and perhaps 

 suitable for a charger, will not, as a general rule, stand severe work as 

 well as those a little coarser at this point. A moderately fine high 

 wither is however almost essential in a hackney, and in all horses adds 

 much to beauty of conformation. 



Low withers (A, fig. 4) do not afford sufficient leverage for the 

 muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the fore-hand. They are generally 

 combined with rather straight shoulders. 



It may perhaps be necessary to remind the reader that the withers are 

 not the shoulder. (B, fig. 4.) The withers may be high and fine at the 

 same time that the shoulder is narrow, straight, and altogether badly 

 formed. Much error often arises from losing sight of this distinction. 



895. The Shoulder. 



The shoulder (fig. 5) must not be confounded with the withers. The 

 latter are, as explained in the preceding paragraph, elevations of the 

 anterior vertebrae of the back-bone. The bones, which compose the 

 shoulder, are separate and distinct from the withers. The shoulder is 

 commonly spoken of as if it were one bone ; but it really consists of two 

 bones articulating together, viz. the scapula (A) and the humerus (B). 

 For the purpose of proper description it will be necessary to treat of these 

 two separately. 



896. The Scapula. 



The Scapula or upper bone of the shoulder (A, fig. 5) extends obliquely 

 forward from a little below the withers to what is among horsemen 

 termed the point of the shoulder, but which point is in reality formed by 

 the articulation of the scapula with the humerus. (B, fig. 5.) The 

 position of the scapula should be oblique, and the bone itself should be 

 long and broad. This formation is most favorable for the mechanical 

 working of the muscles and tendons which elevate the fore-hand in action. 

 Fig. 5. 



If the scapula be straight, /. e. upright (fig. 5a) the handle of the 

 crank, if we may use the simile as applicable to the motion of the scapula 

 and humerus, is placed in a disadvantageous position for raising weight. 

 Again if the scapula is short, although it may be oblique (fig. 56), there 

 is a mechanical deficiency of power, as in the case of a crank with a short 

 handle. When from either or from both these causes (fig. 5r) combined 

 the mechanical power is deficient, the action will be defective. 



A thick heavy shoulder always produces lumbering unpleasant action. 

 On the other hand a very light fine high shoulder may be wanting in 

 proper muscular development. Horses however, with such shoulders, 

 though they may be deficient in muscular power for very hard work, 

 such as hunting, are pleasant to ride and generally have good action. 



