SECRETARY'S REPORT. 161 



important that the width be great just back of the fore-legs, and 

 the larger a horse girths, the better. This affords ample room 

 for the licart and lungs, his most indispensable organs. 



The bari'cl, body, or middle piece of the roadster, should be 

 of fair uniform size, as round as possible, and not too small, or 

 tucked up, at the flanks. Sometimes, however, horses with 

 the form of the greyhound have proved to be remarkably 

 serviceable. 



Mr. Darvill, an English writer on the race-horse, speaking of 

 the form best adapted for great speed and endurance, remarks 

 that the firm, contracted and yet projecting appearance of the 

 anus, which should be well closed in by the surrounding parts, 

 is one of the most reliable evidences of a strong and sound con- 

 stitution ; and that a horse possessing this proof of good stamina, 

 with broad hips, stout loins and spacious chest will always be a 

 good feeder, with excellent wind, and able and ready to run, 

 even though apparently deficient in carcass. 



The last ribs should be long and tolerably close to the point 

 of the hip, though, if very close, the horse will have less speed, 

 but more endurance. Long-bodied horses are sometimes hollow, 

 or sway-backed and are justly considered less capable of severe 

 labor than those with short, straight backs. They are poorly 

 adapted for carrying heavy burdens ; but a slight depression of 

 back just behind the withers, corresponding with the arching 

 neck, gives a more elegant and stylish figure and does not at 

 all detract from the general usefulness of the animal. 



The shoulder blade of the roadster should be broad, as 

 oblique as possible, and extend well back at the withers, and 

 the point of the shoulder should not be too low. The humerus 

 which connects the shoulder with the fore-leg, although con- 

 cealed within the abundant muscles of the part, is one of the 

 stoutest and most important bones. It should be of good 

 length and so joined to the shoulder blade as to slope rapidly 

 towards the ground instead of running back under the body. 

 The motion of the arm will thus be less confined and the fore- 

 leg will stand in the best position. By this form the horse will 

 be enabled to extend himself, or reach well, when going rapidly, 

 and be less likely to stumble or to injure his feet or legs, than 

 when he carries much weight before, or directly over, his for- 

 ward extremities. The muscles attached to tlie arm bone are 



