THE TYPES OF HORSES 



39 



in an unequal distribution of weight and work on the joints and 

 foot, as well as being unsightly. 

 /^;'. '^ Speed Type. — Wlien speed performance alone is considered, 

 the minimum weight to be pulled or carried is imposed. Speed 

 depends ujjon the length of the individual strides and tlie rapidity 

 with which they can be repeated. Muscular contraction, there- 

 fore, must be of greatest degi'ee and most quickly accomplished. 



Fig. 34. — The speed type, representing the long, rangy, angular, narrow but deep form 

 correlated with length and rapidity of stride. 



Muscles capable of such contraction are long and band-like, com- 

 2)ared to the short and tliick muscles of power. 



Form. — A horse to be fast, at whatever gait, must have the 

 following form : 



(1) ]\[ust be long and rangy in form to accommodate the 

 length of muscles and to increase the length of the reach in 

 extension. 



(2) Must be lithe, indicating a system of muscles of the 

 speed sort (Fig. 34:). 



