THE FRAMEWORK OF THE HORSE. 41 



basis of the animal ; and this corresponds nearly to a 

 line of gravity, x y, falling through one of the dorsal 

 vertebrae nearer to the neck than the fourteenth, to 

 which reference has been made. And by elevating the 

 neck somewhat, curving it at the same time, and making 

 the head assume an acuter angle with it, we bring back 

 the centre of gravity perhaps to E G, the perpendicular 

 falling through the fourteenth vertebra, or centre of 

 motion and this is the safest and most generally 

 applicable position : for cavalry purposes it is abso- 

 lutely indispensable. Finally, if we bring the neck 

 still higher up, curving it still more, as shown in the 

 figure, we can bring the centre of gravity back to the 

 line G H, as the manege-rider does, who, however, at 

 the same time, gets the toes of the horse's hind feet up 

 to the line I K in a bent position, which naturally 

 brings the croup down* (see fig. 1, x* x z ). 



The same figure taken together with Plate II. brings 

 us to the final result at which we have aimed all 

 through this chapter namely, the equilibrium of the 

 horse in motion as compared with the same in a state 

 of rest. Under the latter supposition (rest), we could 

 only show, from the formation of the spinal column 

 (back), that the fourteenth vertebra indicates, by its 

 peculiar shape and position, a different function from 

 that of the other vetebrse, all of which evidently admit 

 of movement towards it, within certain limits, whilst 

 this one, not being adapted for this purpose, may 

 so far be considered to be intended for the centre of 

 motion. But the construction of the horse's legs, and 



* It is necessary to remark that in this case the basis of the figure 

 remains as before at C and M, the hind legs acting not merely as 

 mechanical props, but maintaining a portion of the weight by 

 muscular action, which, however, must not be too long continued. 



