10 THE ARMY HOUSE. 



The fetlock joint should be of good size and clean; the pas- 

 terns of moderate length, and forming an angle of between -15 

 and 50 degrees with the ground or floor. 



The foot should be of moderate size; a flat foot or one too 

 narrow at the heels is objectionable. 



The relative proportions of the shoulders and the exact shape 

 desirable vary considerably in cavalry and artillery horses. 

 Thus, when speed and activity are essential, as in the cavalry 

 horse, the shoulder should be oblique (sloping), as this shape 

 gives elasticity to the gait of the horse. For the artillery horse, 

 working in harness, a more upright shoulder bears the pressure 

 of the collar more evenly, and when the collar is at right angle 

 to the traces, the horse exerts his strength to the greatest ad- 

 vantage. The front line of the shoulder must be clearly 

 marked ; an irregular surface or excessive muscular develop- 

 ment in the region marked A (Plate I) prevents a close fit of 

 the collar. 



The Avithers should not be thin and high, as this conforma- 

 tion will allow the saddle to slip too far forward and the 

 pommel will rest upon the withers. The bars of the saddle 

 Avill be forced against the shoulder blades, causing irritation 

 and inflammation, and preventing free motion of the shoulders ; 

 the constraint causes stumbling. On the other hand the with- 

 ers should not be low or thick, as the saddle is then apt to pinch 

 them. 



The breast and chest should be of moderate width and have 

 considerable depth; the narrow chest indicates Aveakness, and 

 the wide, heavy chest is suitable for heavy-draft horses only. 



The capacity of the lungs is marked b}- the size of the chest 

 at the girth, but the stamina will depend upon the length of 

 the back ribs. The barrel should not be broad back of the 

 cinch, as it would cause the cinch to slip forward and chafe 

 the body just back of the point of the elbow. The opposite 

 conformation would allow the saddle and cinch to slip l^ack- 

 ward. The back should be short, with muscles well developed, 

 and the upper lines of the back bending down a little behind 

 the withers and then swelling out very gently to the junction 

 of the loins, which can hardly be too broad and muscular. 



The last rib should be placed close to the point of the hip, 

 as this is an indication of strength, and the horse is more 

 easily kept in good condition than one having the opposite 

 conformation. 



