SUPERIOR FACE OF' THE BODY. 115 



of these causes to which the height of the withers owes its variations ; 

 whether it be due to the length and vertical position of the apophyses 

 or to the lowering of the thorax. But what is well demonstrated by 

 experience is that the best type of withers in a horse is that which is 

 as salient and as much prolonged backward as possible ; especially if 

 the horse be expected to perform service at a rapid pace/ and also for 

 work under the saddle. 



It is not very important to determine the real cause of the promi- 

 nence of the withers* What is essential to know is that increased 

 height in most instances means a lengthening of the arm of the lever 

 of the spinal and cervical muscles and an increased freedom of move- 

 ment of the anterior extremity of the body, two conditions, either of 

 which favors the muscular contraction and movements of the anterior 

 limbs, the rotation of the scapula, and, consequently, the movements 

 of extension and flexion. These reasons suffice to justify the prefer- 

 ence which is accorded to this conformation. 



It is well known that horses with loiv and thick withers have ordi- 

 narily insufficient action and too much clumsiness of the movements of 

 the fore limbs. The shoulder rotates but little, the animal is predis- 

 posed to forging and interfering, and is unfit for service at a rapid 

 gait. He supports the head insufficiently and is heavy on the bit. 



Apart from the foregoing objections, there is still another factor 

 which aggravates this defect. This is the difficulty of maintaining the 

 saddle in place, it having a constant tendency to slide forward and 

 to make direct pressure on and bruise the tissues underneath. Hence 

 result wounds and inflammatory affections, the effects of which are so 

 often incurable. The use of the crupper is an insufficient preventive 

 against such lesions, and may itself become a cause of pathological 

 conditions, from its continued traction at the base of the tail. 



Let us close by saying that beauty of the withers not only involves 

 the mechanical advantages which we have already considered, but it is 

 also a sign of the noble qualities and the distinction of its possessor. It 

 endows the surrounding regions with other important qualities, such 

 as are indicated by the length of the shoulder and the height of the 

 chest, and thus presents itself as one of the essential qualifications of 

 this locality. Whenever the chest is deep, and the shoulders long and 

 oblique, it is clearly recognized that the withers are elevated, well 

 attached, and extended well backward, the general harmony presuming 

 that, in most instances, the development of one of the elements of an 



1 This is not invariable. Among our speediest trotters we find some in which the withers 

 are high, and others in which they are low. (Harger.) 



