Or a difference of the 7 kgr. 4825 between these two 

 values. 



So the horse with the horizontal croup will bear upon 

 his loin nearly 7^ kilos more than the horse with the 

 sloping croup. 



In other words it would be necessary to reduce by 

 four times "jYz or 30 kilos, the weight of the rider of the 

 horse with the horizontal croup (which would bring this 

 weight to 70 kilos), in order to equalize the weight sup- 

 ported at the loin by both horses. 



It is important to note that these tw^o figures have their 

 strict value only when the horses are considered to be 

 standing still ; this value lessens as soon as they move 

 and consequently change their angle, and at the gallop, 

 for example (when the lumbar arch is working well), 

 the weight is distributed in almost the same way what- 

 ever the slope of the croup. It is besides a fact of com- 

 mon observation that the horse with a horizontal croup, 

 at first a little surprised when heavy weight is put upon 

 him, hastens to change the slope of his radii, and if he 

 has the least energy takes up the gallop of his own 

 accord. 



The light rider should therefore not hesitate to choose 

 a horse with a horizontal croup which will carry him 

 faster, more comfortably and more powerfully than any 

 other. The heavy rider should take a mount with a more 

 or less sloping croup. The croup can never be too much 

 inclined, nor the loin too short for a work horse which is 

 to bear the jerking weight of the shafts of a heavy two- 

 wheeled cart. 



But this study was not for the purpose of giving ad- 

 vice to riders in search of a mount; it is simply trymg 

 to point out the best methods of selection of progenitors 

 destined to improve the breeds of saddle horses, and one 

 objection is immediately presented to the mind — is it not 

 to be feared lest long distance racing, which favors 



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