THE BACK. 95 



higher than the top of the rimip ; in the racer and 

 carter, no higher at aU. The back should be nearly 

 level on the saddle-seat, and then rise gTadually over 

 the kidneys. The ribs, by all means, must stand 

 straight out from the back-bone all along. This is a 

 much stronger and better foim than the herring-rib, 

 which makes a horse nan-ow and thin along the back. 

 Some horses dip so much at the saddle-seat, that they 

 have the appearance of a high shoulder ; whereas, in 

 reahty, the shoulder may be low when compai'ed with 

 the top of the rump. The back-bone and ribs, behind 

 the shoulder, should be considerably lower than the 

 top of the withers, but the sweep should be gTadual. 

 A sudden and gTcat dip at this locaUty is certainly a 

 defect, as it encroaches on the space allotted to the 

 lungs, and also permits the saddle to get foi-^^^ai'd on 

 the top of the shoulder-blades. The two points of 

 importance are, immediately behind the shoulders, and 

 over the kidneys. The horse which is remarkably hol- 

 low in the fii'st and weak in the second, is decidedly 

 faulty. 



The strength of the back, at the kidneys, will de- 

 pend upon its gentle elevation, and also on the length 

 of the transverse processes of the bones of the spine. 

 The longer these processes are, the broader mil the 

 back appear at this part. If these projections on the 

 bones of the spine are long and large, there will be 

 plenty of room for the attachment of muscles and h- 



