384 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



in fast horses a more marked closing of the superior angles. In 

 draught-horses these angles should be more open, because greater 

 rigidity of the members is required in pulling. 



6th. We have also seen that the inferior segments, much more 

 movable, are all the better for having, when at rest, only a slightly 

 oblique inclination, which brings them nearer to the vertical line 

 passing through their centre of movement, because then the action of 

 their articular angles develops the greatest amount of motion. 



7th. Observation and theory agree in proving that the locomotory 

 segments are far from having an inclination of 45 degrees to the 

 horizon in beautifully-formed horses, and from being parallel with 

 one another in the members of the same biped, as the theory of Gen- 

 eral Morris would require. 



8th. The similitude of the homologous angles does not seem to be 

 established either, nor even necessary to the most favorable static and 

 dynamic conditions. 



The tendency to the equality of the following angles should, however, 

 be recognized : the scapulo-humeral and the coxo-femoral, the humero- 

 radial and the femoro-tibial, the metacarpo-phalangal and the metatarso- 

 phalangal. 



9th. All things being equal, the fast horse has his locomotory 

 angles, the superior and the inferior, less open than the draught-horse, 

 on account of the greater inclination of his shoulder, his croup, and 

 his pasterns. 



On the contrary, the other angles are more open and the segments 

 a little longer, especially the canons. 



10th. The angular relations of the locomotory segments are of im- 

 portance in the production of force only in so far as they realize better 

 static conditions and favor muscular incidences. 



Now, how shall we judge of the closing of the articular angles 

 without having recourse to the use of mechanical instruments ? This 

 is certainly one of the most delicate points, and one which demands 

 great practice and great accuracy of sight. It is, however, possible to 

 give some hints capable of guiding one in this respect. 



Thus, the closure of the scapulo-humeral angle can be estimated by 

 the obliquity of the shoulder and the elevation of its point. 



The coxo-femoral angle can be approximately estimated by the 

 horizontally of the croup. Many common horses, as has been seen, 

 present the length of the head between the summit of that region and 

 the superior fold of the stifle-joint ; it is, on the contrary, very rare to 



