THE HORSE. I I 



The statui'e or height of a horse is the distance (H) 

 from the level of the ground to the withers. 



The length is measured from the point of the arm to 

 the point of the buttocks (FE.) 



The limbs considered together are termed biped. 



The centre of gravity (O), to which it is difficult to 

 assign an exactly defined position, is rather above the 

 xiphoid region in the lower third of the body of the 

 horse when the animal is placed in such a manner of 

 standing as is preparatory to regular gaits. 



The medial plane, to which frequent reference will 

 be made in the course of this work, should extend from 

 the vertical plane passing by the vertebral column and 

 the sternum, bisecting the body of the horse into 

 symmetrical lateral divisions. 



The horse (fig. i), is comprised in a square, i.e., it 

 is as high as it is long. The head is said to be lozvered, 

 it approaches the vertical. The animal is placed in the 

 sense that the separation (UV) of the toes of the right 

 side equals three-fourths of its length (FE). 



The base of support of the horse is established by 

 causing the limbs of the left side to complete upon the 

 ground the extreme points of a polygon of which UV 

 constitutes the large side. 



The left side of a horse is that on which the first 

 stirrup is put on, and for this reason it is called the near 

 side. 



The beat is a noise perceptible to the ear produced 

 by the contact of the hoof with the ground. The trail 

 is the impression left upon the soil ; it is discernible to the 

 eye. The support is the action of a limb raised to the 

 fore, the rear, or the side. The appui is the exertion of 

 the limb on the ground, in every possible manner, the 

 limb moving round the hoof rendered stationary by the 

 pressure. 



