388 HOESE POETEAITUEE. 



torily account for, as the effects of different kinds of food, 

 &c., the advantages of a certain form can be proved on 

 mechanical principles. Considering the bony framework 

 of the horse as a machine, that is set in motion by the 

 action of the muscles, it is very important that their force 

 should be applied in a manner that will effect a certain 

 result with the least expenditure of power. The loin, 

 quarters, and hind legs are the seat of the propelling force. 

 While I have no faith in reducing the form of the horse to 

 a mathematical problem, calculating by a series of angles 

 the extent of stride a certain configuration will give, there 

 is still an adaptability of the parts found in a great 

 majority of good horses. The exceptions only prove the 

 necessity of a form approximating the model ; for though 

 we find some points of a good performer not in accord- 

 ance with this principle, we will discover a counteracting 

 force that overcomes the obstacle. Because English 

 Eclipse had a short, thick shoulder, we must not flatter 

 ourselves that, as our favorite has the same defect, it is not 

 an injury. The powerful quarters that overcame this 

 serious defect in the Eclipse are rarely found ; and though 

 the English champion had strength enough in these to 

 overbalance the resistance of the heavy shoulder, it would 

 retard a horse of ordinary power, till he would be useless 

 as a racer. 



The hind legs are joined to the body by the upper part 

 of the femur being articulated with the pelvis, the joint 

 forming the connection. The length of that part of the 

 pelvis, which is termed the ileum, constitutes what we 

 call length of hip. In the Falcon, this is of more than 

 ordinary length, which is an advantage in giving more 

 room for the attachment of the muscles that exert their 

 force from this region. A level hip is generally looked 

 upon with the most favor, as the form which will give 

 greater power to the muscles joined to the femur; but I 



