i6 THE HORSE AS A RIDING MACHINE. 



limbs. Consequently, at the end of a long and well contested 

 race, a capable jockey often leans back in the saddle and 

 takes a good hold of the horse's head, by doing which, he 

 relieves the tired fore-hand of a portion of the weight it is 

 trying to support and raise. At first glance it might appear 

 that the presence of a jockey was the chief cause of the 

 muscles of the fore limbs of the racehorse becoming more 

 quickly tired than those of the hind quarters. We find, how- 

 ever, the justly admired "level" style of going only among 

 horses which are the product of many generations of careful 

 selection for saddle purposes. The ordinary harness animal, 

 and still more the cart horse, can gallop only in up-and- 

 down fashion (like a ship pitching at sea), apparently on 

 account of want of ability in the fore limbs (including 

 the shoulders) to raise the fore-hand sufficiently high. In 

 similar positions, thoroughbreds carry a larger proportion 

 of their weight on their fore legs than common animals 

 do, by reason of their necks being longer in proportion 

 to their bodies, and consequently the leverage exerted by 

 their heads and necks being greater. The weight borne by 

 their fore-hands is, however, comparatively small, and the 

 muscles of their shoulders are admirably suited for quick 

 and extended action. 



It is instructive to note that first-class sprinters, such as 

 Harry Hutchens was some years ago, and fast skaters, almost 

 always bend very much forward when travelling at high 

 speed. 



It is reasonable to infer that if a horse has to go at a speed 

 and cover a distance which will fully try his staying capa- 

 bilities, he will accomplish his task best, when the respective 

 muscles of the fore-hand and hind quarters are taxed in pro- 

 portion to their power. Here, the strength of the chain is 

 equal to that of its weakest link. 



The foregoing observations undoubtedly point to the fact, 



