CONFORMATION. 443 



this formation is continued to the chest, the animal probably will not tlo 

 work . 



Figures 12, 12^, and 12/> respectively represent good, slack, and light 

 ribs. 



913. The Pelvis. 



The Pelvis (No. 4 in Skeleton, Plate 31) should be broad, deep, and 

 oblique, and its spinous processes called the hips should be moderately 

 wide ; but they need not be so wide as to be unsightly or to give the 

 appearance known as " ragged hipped." Breadth and depth are needed 

 in order to give space for and attachment to the muscles of the hind 

 quarters. All propelling power in the horse is derived from these 

 muscles. They should therefore be large and well developed ; and it is 

 essential to appearance that they should be laid on smoothly and evenly. 

 Obliquity in the pelvis is needed in order to give due length to the 

 quarters. 



Many horses with great jumping power often have very broad 

 " ragged " hips. This breadth in the Irish hunter is frequently combined 

 with a sudden drooping of the quarters and great length of hock. These 

 conformations give great leverage for the muscles ; and although the 

 formation is not handsome, yet when it is combined with powerful 

 muscles, it often produces a horse valuable for hunting and steeple- 

 chasing. 



The question of power however is one which must always be considered 

 relatively to the other points of the conformation. As a general rule, an 

 over-broad pelvis is not desirable in riding horses. It causes the hind 

 legs to be set on too wide apart, and is therefore apt to produce an 

 unpleasant rolling motion in the gait. Similarly the hips should not be 

 too wide or too prominent. On the other hand, a narrow pelvis and a 

 flat thigh invariably indicate a worthless animal. If the pelvis is defi- 

 cient in width, the horse will be " split up," and the muscles on the inside 

 of the thigh will be deficient. 



914. The Loins. 



The loins should be large, long, well arched, and fully furnished with 

 muscle. The muscle should be evenly supplied, so that the outward 

 appearance may be smooth and round. Any great prominence on either 

 side of the loins with a depression in the centre indicates want of breed- 

 ing. In race-horses the muscular development of the loins is a point of 

 the utmost importance. 



The thighs should be deep and full. There should, however, be suffi- 

 cient interval between them to prevent friction. Horses with heavy 

 thick thighs set closely together will not answer for fast work. On the 

 other hand a want of muscular development, such as is indicated by the 

 animal being " split up behind," is most objectionable. Most of these 

 points are illustrated in the drawings given in Plate 24. 



915. The Hind quarters generally. 



The Hind quarters, taken as a whole, should be long, deep, full, 

 rounded externally, and placed well under the centre of gravity. 



