444 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



distribution of the weight and an elevation of the plane of suspension, according 

 to the nature of the given defect. 



Since the appearance of our first edition, two distinguished veterinary sur- 

 geons, Messrs. Raabe and Bonnal, 1 have published their personal observations 

 upon this special subject. According to these authors, we have placed the centre 

 of scapular suspension too low ; they fix it empirically at the superior third of the 

 shoulder. If this determination is exact, the plane of suspension of the body will 

 therefore be slightly oblique from before to behind. 



d h j f 



FIG. 147. Lines of equilibrium of the horse viewed in profile. 

 (Reproduced from a photograph of M. Delton.) 



All this is possible. It is very difficult to choose between these two opinions, 

 because the centre of movement of the shoulder is not an anatomical point, but 

 rather a surface which itself moves upon the thoracic parietes at the same time 

 that the axis of the scapula rotates around it. 



Besides, the direction of the plane of suspension of the body upon the 

 members, whether it be horizontal or slightly oblique in a normal state, only 

 offers interest from a point of view of its deviations in one sense or the other. 

 As we have treated of these latter in connection with the centre of gravity, the 

 withers, and the height of the fore-quarters, we will not return to them here. 



1 Raabe et Bonnal, Determination des lignes de gravitS du cheval, en station rguliere 

 mont6 et non monte ; in Archives vele'rinaires, 1883, p. 535. 



