CARRIAGE OF THE HEAD AND NECK. 45 



If, on the contrary, the head be brought down too 

 low, the animal, if at the gallop or canter, instead 

 of " going level," will have a more or less pitching 

 motion, from too much weight being thrown on 

 his forehand ; and will lose time in his stride by 

 excessive bending of his knees, which is necessary^ 

 to enable his feet, in that case, to clear the ground. 



Owing to the variety in the conformation of 

 different horses, and in the work they are called 

 upon to do, it is impossible to lay down any fixed 

 rule as to the angle at which the neck should be 

 carried : a fact that is of little moment ; as expe- 

 rience will enable us to form a sufficiently near 

 approximation for all practical purposes. 



The neck muscles, which draw the fore-limb 

 forward, will naturally act to the best advantage 

 when the neck vertebrae are extended on each 

 other ; that is, when the neck is straight. Accord- 

 ing as the neck is bent, so will this forward "pull" 

 be diminished. 



The chief muscle that draws the fore-limb 



