A TTITUDES. 453 



usual, but the vertical line still crosses the middle of the knee, the 

 canon, the fetlock, and the foot (Fig. 156). 



In other cases this conformation is due, on the contrary, to the 

 narrowness of the chest and the small volume of the pectoral muscles, 

 two defects which diminish the separation of the points of the shoul- 

 ders and render the members convergent towards their superior part, 

 f heir opposite extremity being in reality normally placed, and appearing 

 divergent only in consequence of the abnormal relation of the former. 



It will be readily understood that when too large a space between 

 the fore-members coexists with a large muscular development and great 

 width of the thorax, the defect is of little import. If the transverse 

 diameter of the base of support is increased, if the stability of the equi- 

 librium-augments, if the walk is heavy and likewise accompanied by a 

 more or less marked rocking of the body, from the fact of this confor- 

 mation, it is apparent that the animal will be unfit to display speed, 

 but that he will be in good condition for the development of force. 

 His aptitudes alone are changed. Hence he will lose scarcely any of 

 his value for light-draught services, especially if his feet are good. 



It is different, however, with the horse in which the separation of 

 the fore-members depends upon narrowness of the chest and flatness 

 of the ribs. Such a horse will always be without wind and without 

 energy, and will not be more favorably disposed in relation to speed : 

 first, on account of the smallness of his lungs and the weakness of his 

 muscles ; secondly, because the lateral displacement of his centre of 

 gravity will occasion a loss of time and of force prejudicial to the 

 velocity of the gaits. We may add that here, as in the preceding case, 

 the two sides of the hoof will no longer bear their normal pressure. 

 The internal quarter, already overburdened, will become the more so 

 as the member deviates the more from its line of axis ; whence the 

 predisposition of the wall to crack and of the sole to become bruised, 

 accidents that are so common in these subjects when they are used for 

 fast work. 



Knee arched Outward Bow-legged Horse (Fig. 157). 

 This outward deviation of the member, somewhat rare, is associated 

 in most instances with a convergence of the two hoofs, but does not 

 always imply it. As we have seen (page 233), this mode of con- 

 formation of the anterior member produces an unequal contact of the 

 foot with the ground, as well as a strain on the ligaments ; it renders, 

 besides, the horse ungraceful. 



Horse Outbow-footed (Fig. 158). This defect of axis, techni- 

 cally called talipes valgus, also crooked-legged, we have already exam- 



