CONFORMATION. 101 



relation of one part to another is never detrimental, but al- 

 ways essential to the highest fulfilment of the power of loco- 

 motion. That a horse of excellent proportion is not neces- 

 sarily a perfect machine is not due to the existence of this 

 balance, but usually to a defective motor force, /. ^., nervous 

 system, or muscular development. The lack of balance 

 reduces the power and endurance in multiple ratio; and 

 of two horses, other things being equal, the one with dis- 

 proportionately light legs, heavy neck or body will be the 

 less useful animal. As the strength of a chain is only that 

 of its weakest link, so the power of a horse is determined 

 by his most defective part. In fact, great strength or weight 

 in one part often serves to make a defective point weaker. 

 A heavy body on light legs only tends to weaken the limbs 

 instead of giving greater power in draught by its size. 



The following relative measurements are found approxi- 

 mately true in all types of well proportioned horses used by 

 private owners. 



The height from the ground to the withers is equal to 

 the length from the chest to a line dropped vertically from 

 the point of the buttock. 



The height from the ground to the point of the croup is 

 equal to that from the ground to the withers. 



The distance from the ground to the brisket is equal to 

 that from the point of the withers to the point of the croup. 



The distance from the point of the elbow to the stifle 

 corresponds with that from the ground to the brisket, and 

 from the point of the withers to the forehead, the head 

 being held in a naturally elevated position. 



The length of the head is equal to the depth of the 

 body at the lowest point of the back. 



