204 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



horses, whatever may be the service to which their conformation 

 adapts them. The exceptions are much less numerous than is gen- 

 erally believed. Nevertheless, such variations, although not very 



marked, do exist, and the expe- 

 rienced eye will recognize a 

 shoulder that is long or one 

 that is short (Fig. 57). 



The length of the shoulder, 

 in order to appreciate it accu- 

 rately, should be viewed : (1) 

 in the absolute; (2) in relation 

 to the arm. 



1. Absolute Length of 

 the Shoulder. — It is neces- 

 sar}', for various reasons, that 

 the shoulder should be as long 

 as possible. 



First, its length necessi- 

 tates a correlative development 

 of the intrinsic muscles, the ex- 

 tent of whose contraction is 

 directly proportional to the 

 movements effected by the hu- 

 merus. 



Secondly, the degree of am- 

 plitude of the rotation of the 

 scapula in relation with the 

 movements of the member as 

 a whole, and the arc described 

 by each extremity of this bone 

 and taking place around a defi- 

 nite centre, are more extensive 

 as the length of this region in- 

 creases. The value of high 

 withers lies in the length of its 

 muscles, for long shoulder-muscles correspondingly augment this scapu- 

 lar movement. 



Thirdly, besides being in relation with the vertical diameter of the 

 chest, an ample length of the muscles has a disposition to render the 

 shoulder more oblique, — another beauty whose value in horses pos- 

 sessed of speed we will presently explain. A long shoulder, as it is 



Fig. 57. 



