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V 



CHAPTER II 

 CONFORMATION— THE STRUCTURE 



Conformation is the " putting together " of the parts which, 

 colloctively, compose the animal structure. Its study has refer- 

 ence to the proportions, dimensions, external contour, and in- 

 ternal constiTiction of the ])arts and their relation in the general 

 arrangement. Not only sliouhl the parts he Avell formed indi- 

 vidually, hut they must fit and hlend with the other ])arts in order 

 to make the whole structure symmetrical and sound. The 

 streng-th of a chain is measured hy the strength of its weakest 

 link. In the same manner defection in one part of conformation 

 may offset an otherwise perfect structure. Unlike a chain, how- 

 ever, the parts or units of conformation in a horse are not iden- 

 tical. Some are of greater relative importance than others, and 

 interfere more with serviceability in case they prove defective. 

 A study of conformation consists in the detection of points of 

 superiority and inferiority of structure, and in allotting to each 

 their proper significance. 



For the purpose of studying conformation, the structure may 

 be divided into regions and each region subdivided into its com- 

 ponent parts, with specifications for each (Fig. 7). 



Head and Neck. — Head. — Size proportionate to size of 

 horse; dimensions — ^length, breadth, and depth — proportionate 

 to each other ; face line straight ; features sharply defined ; lower 

 jaw strong with open angle between branches so as not to com- 

 press larynx when neck is flexed. 



Forehead. — Broad, full and flat. 



Ears. — Medium size, fine, pointed, set close, carried alert. 



Eyes. — Prominently set, large, full, clear, bright, lids thin, 

 uniform curvature, no angle caused by atrophy (Fig. 8). 



Muzzle. — "Not too fine, nostrils large but not dilated, lips 

 thin, trim, teeth regular, sound. 



Nech. — Long, lean, crest marked, but not too heavy, throat' 

 latch fine, head well set on. 

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