PERPENDICULAR. 85 



the case of the latter, the anterior side of the base would 

 be thrice 16 centimeters, namely, 48 centimeters, on the 

 supposition that the feet only left an intervening space 

 equivalent to their size. 



It may, therefore, be admitted that in many cases they 

 will be less when 42 centimeters are accepted as the size 

 of a fine chest. 



It has been previously observed that there is difficulty 

 in the assignment of a well-defined position for the centre 

 of gravity (see O, fig. 1). Its situation by approximation, 

 is at the passage of the girths, towards the eighth rib, 

 upon the vertical touching the extremity of the cartilage 

 forming the inferior appendix of the sternum, and at the 

 junction of the horizontal which passes above the stifle 

 (rotula). The anterior members thus support a heavier 

 burden than the posterior. 



To place and judge the perpendicular, the horse must 

 be brought to approach the angles of a rectilineal figure 

 of such a kind that each member of the lateral bipedal, 

 in the middle of its appui, supports a weight approximately 

 equivalent to an equal proportion of the whole. 



If it be also difficult to lay down fixed rules for the 

 equilibrium, there are, however, certain data which permit 

 a sufficient estimation. The horse at rest, with the foot 

 set flat upon level ground, having the weight equally 

 balanced upon the whole circumference of its hoofs, should 

 have vertical canons. 



Certain lines have been imagined which, being per- 

 pendicular to the ground, may assist the certitude of the 

 good direction of the members, in order that the pro- 

 gressionary movements may be made as far as possible 

 upon a plane parallel to that of the axis of the body. 



The horse being in profile (fig. 2>7)y the vertical (c) of 

 the point of the arm should encounter the earth perceptibly 

 in advance of the toe of the forefoot (a). For the direc- 

 tion of the anterior member to be regular, it is necessary 

 that the perpendicular to the ground, dividing the fetlock 

 in the middle, should also split the canon and knee in a 

 similar manner, whilst pausing at the height of the base 

 of the sternum towards the posterior third of the 

 forearm. 



If the vertical of the point of the arm touch the foot, 



