Ixxxviii INTRODUCTION. 



ter depending, in part, upon the obliquity of the shoulder ; 

 but when mere speed is regarded, the neck may be straight, 

 or even concave above. The latter conformation forms what 

 is termed the " ewe-neck." It renders the horse unapt to 

 the guidance of the rein, uneasy to the rider, and unsafe ; 

 but may exist in the class of horses in which speed alone is 

 sought for. Many excellent race-horses have exhibited this 

 conformation, which is that likewise of the deer and other 

 swift-footed ruminants. 



The back consists of the dorsal and lumbar vertebrae, with 

 the powerful muscles covering the parts. It commences 

 with the elevated ridge formed by the spinous processes of 

 the first dorsal vertebrae, termed withers, and familiarly 

 known as the part between the pommel of the saddle and the 

 termination of the mane. Elevation of withers is connected 

 with the vigorous movement of the fore-extremities, and is, 

 consequently, indicative of action. All jockeys look to the 

 height of the shoulder, which is indicated by the elevation 

 of the withers, as a point connected with usefulness and 

 safety in the saddle-horse ; and dealers, accordingly, usually 

 seek to exaggerate the height of the horse before, by placing 

 him, when he is to be examined, with his fore-feet on the 

 higher ground. Great elevation of the withers, however, is 

 more connected with good action than extreme speed ; and 

 in the race-horse it is regarded as a secondary character. 

 A great proportion of the horses distinguished on the turf 

 have the withers of moderate height. In Eclipse, whose 

 form has been minutely scrutinized, the withers were very 

 low ; and the same conformation is observed in other species 

 of animals fitted for great speed. But although the power 

 of speed is connected with another class of properties than 

 elevation of the withers, yet the latter character is never to 

 be disregarded, when we look to utility and safety in the 

 saddle-horse. It gives not only grace to the animal, but a 

 sense of ease and security to the rider. When the withers 



