28 



THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



once rejected. These shoulders are usually ac- 

 companied by low withers, and fore-legs placed 



too far under the body, 

 which arrangement causes 

 the rider an unpleasant jar 

 every time a fore-foot touches 

 the ground. Moreover, the 

 gait of the horse is con- 



y^ 



Fip. 6. — straip:ht or upright strained aud not always 



shouldtT. The an<;le at the - . „ 



joint being more than -15^ Safc, aud if llC bc USCd UlUch 



under the saddle his fore-feet will soon become 

 unsound. This straight, upright shoulder is 

 characteristic of the coarser breeds of horses, 

 and is frequently associated with a short, thick 

 neck. Such horses are not only unfit for the 

 saddle, but, when any speed is desired, are un- 

 suitable even for a pleasure carriage. (Fig. 6.) 

 The haunch of the low-bred horse is gener- 

 ally large, but not so well formed as that of the 

 thorough-bred. This portion of the Arabian 

 courser is wide, indicating strength, and force 

 to propel himself forward, while his tail, stand- 

 ing out gayly when he is in motion, projects in 

 a line with his back-bone. His forearm is large, 

 long, and muscular,^ his knees broad and firm, 



1 "There is, however, a medium in this, and the advantage 

 of l«'n'j;th in the arm will dejjcnd on tlie use to which the horse is 

 applied. The lady's horse, the cavalry horse, every horse in which 



