614 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



able to compare with reasonable accuracy their relations and 

 proportions. 



In rearing or buying horses this is of especial importance, 

 since in the perfection of these parts the value is so largely de- 

 pendent that without it other perfections of muscular develop- 

 ment will not make amends. 



Not only the relative proportions of length, size, and arrange- 

 ment, but also the quality, solidity, fineness, or density must be 

 considered in estimating values and uses to which the animal 

 may be best adapted. The frame-work of the trotter and 

 racer and draft horses has variations to adapt the parts to the 

 use intended. The back of the cart-horse must be shorter and 

 stronger than that of the trotter, his shoulders more upright 

 and thicker than that of the animal to be used for speed. The 

 saddle-horse must have a longer, finer pastern than that of the 

 draft or farm horse, that he may have more ease, freedom, and 

 elasticity of motion. Nor can one judge of the relative size and 

 form of muscles that give form and power to the animal, until 

 he can measure by his eye the form and size of the bony struc- 

 ture. The gracefulness, or ease of motion, the power of endur- 

 ance, the degree of vitality, and constitutional vigor may be 

 discerned through the form of the frame and the manner in 

 which the muscles are attached and arranged on the frame-work. 



The Muscular Development. The functions and con- 

 stitution of the muscles of the horse come under the same laws 

 of development as those of man. A study of the works on 

 human anatomy and physiology will aid in the study of this 

 subject. The highest degree of health and vigor and form 

 come with good breeding, proper nourishment, even of ancestor 

 and offspring, and judicious training. The physiological law is 

 never to be lost sight of, that use strengthens, disuse weakens. 

 The muscles of the arm that never toils become soft, flabby, and 

 feeble. The arm and sinews of the well-trained racer become 

 strong and firm, and have the ability to do and to endure. The 

 animal or man that spends days in confinement, deprived of exer- 

 cise and sunshine, whose lungs are never taxed with inflation of 

 air enough to quicken and purify the blood, becomes soft and 



