52 THE PERFECT HOUSE. 



why cannot the same be done in the case of a horse, and 

 by the same method; viz., the imposition of weights, 

 gradually increased, day by day, up to the maximum of 

 safety ? 



Next in importance to the shortness of the back is 

 the width of the bone formation over the kidneys. At 

 this point, viewed from the side, the back should be 

 seen to rise a little, — not too much. I do not fancy a 

 ''roach-backed" horse, but with a gentle, easy eleva- 

 tion. Above all, beware of a horse with any considera- 

 ble depression at this point. The ribs should stand 

 straight out from the backbone, and be long, giving 

 great width over the kidneys, and a good chance for the 

 muscles to take hold of the framework. I do not 

 fancy any very considerable dip behind the withers. 

 Such a formation of the spinal column and ribs is sure 

 to cramp and interfere with the heart and lungs within 

 the ch£st, which, above all, is to be avoided : for, with- 

 out a well-developed and well-located centre to his 

 blood-system, the horse cannot have health ; and, with- 

 out lung-room, he cannot have speed over any but short 

 distances. It is lungs more than any thing else that 

 decide how fast a horse can trot. (See section on lungs.) 

 We now come to the examination of the most essen- 

 tial portion of the horse's frame, — the 



HIND-QUARTERS. 



Here it is that the strength and speed lie. The fore- 

 legs are for supports : they uphold the body, neck, and 



