POINTS. 



6S9 



out sensible restriction. Should the rein be held too tight and a false 

 step be made, or should the foot be placed upon a rolling stone, the 

 quadruped is almost certain to fall ; for the rapid motion of the head"^ 

 being impossible, it cannot be used to restore the disturbed balance. 

 The nimbleness which could avoid sudden danger is destroyed by the 

 fashionable want of feeling. It is a matter for surprise that the presence 

 of the bearing-rein is never alluded to when gentlemen seek redress be- 

 cause their vehicles have been damaged. Most horsemen, however, 

 esteem the neck for its appearance, and few comprehend its utility. 



Any person can discern the difference which characterizes the necks 

 here represented. The galloway in front has a well-formed neck, 

 although many pretended judges would object that it is too bulky. 



illiiuitn'' \m 



THE FORM OF NECK GENERALLY INDICATES THE DISPOSITION OP A HORSE. 



Bulk supposes the presence of muscle ; therefore a neck, if properly 

 shaped, cannot be too thick. The majority of the cervical motor agents 

 extend either to the trunk or to the fore limbs. The size of the neck, 

 consequently, influences other regions, and confers positive advantage of 

 both strength and activity. 



A head well set on is carried in advance of the body only so far as 

 may be necessary to counteract the comparative lightness of the for- 

 ward structures. 



On the other hand, thinness and smallness of neck is one of the 

 peculiar features of emaciation in the horse. It is always seen in the 

 old and in the half-starved quadruped. Hence it may be inferred not to 

 be a sign of vigor in any condition. The observation should be directed 



