MUSCLES OF THE BREAST. 251 



btit little elevation and is sharp and upriglit. Tlie second is longer and 

 inclined backward ; tlie tliii-d and fourth increase in length, and the fifth 

 is the lv)no-est ; they then gradually shorten until the twelfth or thii-teentli, 

 which becomes level with the bones of the loins. 



High withers have been always, in the mind of the judge of the horse, 

 assocfated with good action, and generally with speed. The reason is 

 plain enough : they afford larger surface for the attachment of the mus- 

 cles of the back ; and in proportion to the elevation of the withers, these 

 muscles act with greater advantage. The rising of the foreparts of the 

 horse, even in the trot, and more especially in the gallop, depends not 

 merely on the action of the muscles of the legs and shoulders, but on those 

 of the loins, inserted into the spinous processes of these bones of the back, 

 and acting with greater power in proportion as these processes, consti- 

 tuting the withers, are leng-thened. The arm of the lever to which the 

 power is applied will be longer ; and in proportion to the length of this 

 arm will be the ease and the height to which a weight is raised. There- 

 fore good and high action will depend much on elevated withers. 



It is not difficult to understand how speed will likewise be promoted by 

 the same conformation. The power of the horse is in his hinder-quarters. 

 In them lies the mainspring of the frame, and the fore-quarters are chiefly 

 elevated and thrown forward to receive the weight forced on them by the 

 action of the hinder- quarters. In proportion, however, as the fore-quarters 

 are elevated, will they be thrown farther forward, or, in other words, will 

 the stride of the horse be lengthened. Yet many racers have the forehand 

 low. The unrivalled Eclipse (see p. 69) was a remarkable instance of this ; 

 but the ample and finely-proportioned quarters, and the muscularity of the 

 thigh and fore-arm, rendered the aid to be derived from the withers per ^ 

 fectiy unnecessary. The heavy draught-horse does not require elevated 

 withers. His utility depends on the power of depressing his fore-quarters, 

 and throwing their weight fully into the collar ; but for common work in 

 the hackney .''in the farmer's horse, and in the hunter, well-formed _\^^thers 

 \\411 be an essential advantage, as contributing to good and safe action, and 

 likewise to speed. 



MUSCLES OF THE BREAST. 

 There are some important muscles attached to the breast connected with 

 that expansion of the chest which every horse should possess. In the cut, 

 page 237, are seen a very important pair of muscles, the pedorales trans- 

 versi, or pectoral muscles, forming two prominences in the front of the 

 chest, and extending backward between the legs. They come from the 

 fore and upper part of the breast-bone ; pass across the inward part of the 

 arm, and reach from the elbow almost down to the knee. They confine 

 the arm to the side in the rapid motion of the horse, and prevent him from 

 beino-, what horsemen would call, and Avhat is seen in a horse pushed 

 beyond his natural power, ' all abroad.' Other muscles, pedorales magni 

 etparvi, the gi-eat and little pectorals, rather above but behind these, go 

 from the breast-bone to the arm, in order to draAv back the point of the 

 shoulder, and bring it upright. Another and smaller muscle goes from the 

 breast-bone to the "shoulder, to assist in the same office. A horse, there- 

 fore, thin and narrow in the breast, must be deficient in important muscular 



power. . • 1 • 1. 



Between the legs and along the breast-bone is tlie proper place m wlucH 



to insert rowels, in cases of inflamed lungs. 



