20 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



der, is both desirable, and actually essential. This cau- 

 tion should always be kept in mind, that both length 

 and lightness must not be pushed in breeding to an ex- 

 treme, for fear that, in so doing, constitutional weakness 

 would be the result. 



The centre of the neck should be decidedly thicker 

 than either the upper or nether edge, and grow in 

 thickness as it approaches the shoulder ; for this thick- 

 ness at the centre of the neck is suggestive of muscle. 

 At the other end (viz., at the jowls) the neck can hardly 

 be too thin. In formation along the upper edge, the 

 neck should rise from the withers in a free and noble 

 curvature, which, connected with the desirable length, 

 will insure beauty of appearance when being ridden or 

 driven, and a mouth easy to the hand. Nor is this 

 length and curvature of the neck a mere matter of 

 beauty, and easy subjection to the driver's will; but more 

 yet is it desirable, because this formation is alone con- 

 sistent with that true balancing of the body on the legs 

 by which gracefulness of motion, and freedom from 

 stun#ling, are secured. 



We now come, in our analysis and description of a 

 perfect horse, to what, perhaps, stands second only in 

 importance to the brain; viz., 



THE CHEST. 



The reason why this portion of the horse is so impor- 

 tant, and the accurate understanding of it so desirable, to 

 the breeder and purchaser, arises from several causes. 



