544 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



It is perceived at once that backing is very tiresome, particularly 

 to the regions of the loins and the hocks. Nevertheless, all horses 

 should be able to execute it, at least under ordinary conditions, and it is 

 indispensable to assure ourselves of this at the time of their purchase. 



Fig. 235.— Backing, in the horse attached to a load. 

 (From an instantaneous photograph by the authors.) 



In general, those which back badly have lesions of the bars, the 

 dorso-lumbar vertebral column, or the hock. As to those which refuse 

 entirely, they are aifected with immobility, which is much more grave. 



If, in such cases, continuous traction be exercised upon the reins, 

 the horse leans to one side, elevates the head, arches the neck, holds the 

 anterior members extended, and remains in loco. If more force be 

 applied without jerking and without violence, he will twist from side 

 to side, dig the feet into the ground, or, finally, rear and throw himself 

 down, should the traction on the bridle be continued. 



These facts which we have enumerated are sometimes more decided 

 in the animal whose head has been turned towards the sun. Without 

 tarrying here, we will say that immobility is a disea.se enumerated in 

 Article II. of the law of August 2, 1884, concerning the redhibitory 

 defects. 



D.— The Gallop. 



General Definition of this Gait. — It is necessary, in order to 

 understand well the phenomena of this mode of progression, to recall 

 the comparison of Duges, and imagine two pedestrians following each 

 other by combining and as.sociating the placing of their feet on the 

 ground according to a particular rhythm. 



