EXTERNAL C0XFOR3IATI0N. 247 



the expression of the eye at the time, will enable the ob- 

 sen'er to distinguish between play and vice. 



If when at exercise, or on a journey, he cames his ears 

 lively, throwingr one backward and the other forward, and 

 is attentive to every thing going on around him, it is a sure 

 sign of spint and strength. 



The neck, in the saddle horse, should be long and thin, 

 arising by a beautiful gi'adation from out of the breast and 

 shoulders, fine at the top and muscular at bottom, (the mus- 

 cles distinctly chiselled as it were, but nowhere overloaded 

 with flesh,) growing^ smaller and thinner as it approaches 

 the head, with windpipe visibly projecting. It should form 

 an elegant but moderate curve, from the poll to the with- 

 ers ; its under surface, but slightly curved, should enter 

 the chest rather above the point of the shoulder. 



The neck of the horse is not merely formed as a cover 

 and protection for the windpipe ; it has other and impor- 

 tant purposes to perform. 



Upon the length of the neck depend the length and 

 power of the levator humerus, or raiser of the ann, a mus- 

 cle of immense power and use in lifting and bringing for- 

 ward the legs, and preventing stumbling. This muscle is 

 in powerful action when a horse is running full speed with 

 his head projected ; yet with its use and 'function, the in- 

 ventor of the bearing-rein must have been totally imac- 

 quainted, as when a horse is tight reined up, it is rendered 

 nearly useless in preventincr the animal recovering himself 

 when falling. The unyielding restriction of the bearing 

 rein also has a tendency to produce roaring. 



A long neck for a fashionable carriage horse, is indispen- 

 sable. A short one will not bear reining^ up, so as to give 

 that arched appearance so much sought for; and he cer- 

 tainly looks better when his head projects considerably 

 above the collar. In horses for lis^ht or heavy draucjht, the 

 neck should be thicker than in the saddle horse. 



The withers commence at the tennination of the mane, 

 and fonn that elevated ridge before the pummel of the 

 saddle ; they are formed by the long spinous proceses of 

 the last cervical and first dorsal vertebrae, and are the le- 

 vers by which the fore parts of the horse are elevated, in 

 the trot; and in proportion to the lenfjth of the arm of the 

 lever, is the ease with which the weight is raised. High 

 withers, however necessary to safety and case, are not 



