ANTERIOR MEMBER. 211 



compatible with a favorable orientation of the scapulo-humeral angle ; 

 finally, it will give suppleness, style, and amplitude to the gait, and at 

 the same time will attenuate those reactions whose effects are as injurious 

 to the rider as to the horse himself. Scapular obliquity usually accom- 

 panies elevated withers and great depth of thorax. It gives to the 

 horse a mark of distinction which denotes the nobleness of his race. 



All other directions of the shoulder are antagonistic to velocity 

 from the fact that their elements are diametrically opposite to those of 

 the conformation we have described. These disadvantages, however, 

 disappear, as before stated, in slow and heavy work for which force 

 alone is required. 



To conclude, from these remarks, that the shoulder of a heavy Per- 

 cheron is defective because it is not straight, would be wrong ; and 

 those who will endeavor to prove it by real measurements will recog- 

 nize that, in the very best specimens of this class, this region, neverthe- 

 less, will show a marked inclination. Without doubt, in such cases, 

 the most beautiful and perfect shoulder is that which offers the greatest 

 surface for the adaptation of the collar. It is a serious mistake to 

 suppose that an inclined scapula does not furnish the elements of this 

 large surface, for it excludes nothing favorable to muscular power. 



It has also been said that, in the presence of such a shoulder, the 

 application of the collar is against the scapulo-humeral articulation 

 only ; whence a certain amount of pain during the efforts of extreme 

 traction, bruises of the sensitive parts, wounds, etc. These are objec- 

 tions which have value only when the shoulder is too sharp, emaciated, 

 or poorly muscled, and consequently leaves the articulation too much 

 in relief; but if it become defective for this reason alone, the defects 

 must not be attributed to the obliquity. If the muscles be well 

 developed this hinderance will disappear, especially if the precaution 

 be taken to elevate the attachment of the traces. It seems useless to 

 repeat so often the aphorism, the harness is made for the horse, and 

 not the horse for the harness. Nevertheless, how few harness-makers 

 seem to appreciate this fact, but prefer to choose the collar without 

 taking the measurement of the shoulders ! 



The inclination of the scapular segment having a marked influence 

 only upon the speed, the straight shoulder is accepted in the motor 

 which works exclusively from the weight of the mass. In a rapid 

 motor, these defects will increase whenever the height over the 

 withers is low, and, particularly, when the latter conformation is due 

 to the low attachment of the trunk between the anterior members. 

 Their free movement being already prevented on account of the 



