AXIS — BACK 



generally speaking show more breeding than the average 

 utility horse, and for the very sufficient reason that being 

 chiefly bred for riding purposes, they possess, for the most part, 

 a strong strain of thoroughbred blood. The blood sire is also 

 more commonly met with in the Antipodes than are stallions 

 of any of the other light breeds, which accounts for the 

 prevailing quality of the Walers. Many of the Australian 

 horses are exceptionally good stayers, and as a rule they are 

 lighter in build than the English animals, but their shoulders, 

 legs, feet, and joints are almost invariably good, whilst their 

 constitutions are most robust as a rule. Many first-rate 

 English thoroughbred sires, and notably Musket — the sire 

 of Carbine, imported into this country by the Duke of Portland 

 — have contributed to the excellence of the Australian blood- 

 horse, which has earned a reputation for himself upon the 

 race-courses not only of India, but of this country as well. 



Axis is the second bone of the vertebrae, which acts as 

 a pivot for the head to move from side to side. (See Bones.) 



Axle. — The bar of wood or metal fixed below a vehicle, 

 at the ends of which the wheels revolve. 



Axle-box. — The covering of the ends of the axle. (See 

 Nave.) 



B 



Back. — The back of a horse extends from the withers 

 to the loins. It should lie flat between these points, be of 

 a good breadth, and not too long, for a long back is usually 

 a weak one and lacks power about the loins, whereas a 

 short, compact one, provided that the quarters and shoulders 

 are made as they should be, ensures the possession of 

 strength, and is usually associated with properly-developed 

 ribs. (See Dipped Back, Hollow Back, Jinked Back, Roach 

 Back.) 



17 B 



