314 THE IMPROVED ART OT FARRIERY 



two weights will form a sort of counterpoise to each 

 other ; but when (as has just been observed,) the 

 shoulders are upright, and the fore -legs incline in- 

 wards under the body, then the central point of sup- 

 port is lost, and the head and neck become heavier in 

 consequence of that circumstance. 



If, therefore, the fore-legs do not stand perpendicular 

 and well advanced before the shoulders, it is almost 

 impossible the animal should move them lightly and 

 with sufficient freedom. The faculty of walking well 

 is not, however, confined to the position of the fore- 

 legs alone, as it is necessary that the shape of the 

 hinder quarters, and the position of the hind -legs, should 

 also accord with that of the fore-legs to produce a 

 proper harmony in their action. 



Much, also, will depend on the back, and the mus- 

 cular power of the haunches and thighs. A long- 

 backed horse is generally easier to the rider than one 

 of an opposite description, but he cannot be so strong, 

 nor so collected in the motion of his limbs, as a short- 

 backed horse ; and it may generally be observed, that 

 a long-backed horse has a rocking vermicular motion 

 of his body during progression. With all horses that 

 walk firm, fast, and well, the hind- foot overreaches the 

 mark of the fore-foot by some inches ; and this arises 

 from the animal being able to use his hind-quarters 

 with freedom, and to advance his hind-legs well under 

 his body, by which the fore-legs are greatly relieved ; 

 as the hind-legs in that case take more of the weight 

 of the body than they would do when dragged after the 

 animal : the hind-legs, therefore, should stand perpen- 

 dicular under the round bone, which is the connecting 

 joint of the thigh and leg with the body. 



In that case their flexion and extension will be 

 even and uniform, and the animal will move with 



