46 THE RACE-HORSE. 



and not approach too near together at the throat, 

 but they should not extend too high towards the 

 onset, or they will impede his freedom of breathing. 

 The neck of all horses should be muscular ; but 

 what is called a loose neck in a race-horse, is not 

 so objectionable as in a hunter, and is considered 

 as indicative of speed. But as the head of a horse 

 may be called the helm which guides his course, 

 changes and directs his motions, it is not only 

 desirable that, as he cannot move his head but with 

 the muscles of his neck, those muscles should be 

 pliant, but that he should also have what is termed 

 a good mouth. It is asserted, that the weight of 

 the head and neck, the effect increasing with their 

 distance from the trunk, adds to the speed of the 

 horse by throwing his weight forward ; but this is 

 no argument for additional weight or length in 

 those parts, which ought to be duly proportioned 

 to the trunk. The neck of the race-horse should 

 be in no extreme, but rather long than otherwise, 

 and not too much arched. 



As horses are said to go with their shoulders, 

 these may be considered as highly important points. 

 They vary in form more than any other part of the 

 horse's frame. Those of Flying Childers rose very 

 high and fine towards the withers ; whereas a fir- 

 kin of butter is said to have rested, unsupported, 

 on the withers of Eclipse, when in covering condi- 

 tion. Upright shoulders, however, being an im- 

 pediment to speed, obliquity of the scapula is 

 absolutely necessary, but we do not insist upon 

 their running fine at the withers. We consider the 



