188 THE STUD. 



yards long that would hold a vessel would be 

 snapped at the first lurch if reduced to^three feet. 



It will be borne in mind, that I am not assert- 

 ing, whether the low back does or does not yield 

 more than the higher one ; if it is not found to do 

 so, there is no palpable or suspicious demonstra- 

 tion of weakness ; if it does, then my theory of 

 elasticity, being equivalent to a given diminution 

 of stiff strength, is tenable. How far strains of 

 the muscles of the back may be more probable in 

 low backed horses than others, the profession no 

 doubt could at once decide ; but I cannot but 

 entertain a surmise, that, where dislocation or 

 injury of the spine (at leaps, particularly) has 

 occurred, had the part been more elastic, in 

 other words, more yielding, such catastrophe 

 might not have occurred. 



I have already spoken of horses cringing from 

 the saddle on being mounted. I need, there- 

 fore, scarcely say, if the low backed horse does 

 this, I should at once reject him ; not for being 

 low backed, or, should I suspect that circumstance 



as causinor this shrinkino: from wei^^ht, but be- 

 ts o o ^ 



cause from some cause he did so ; if I found the 

 hollow back firm and strong under me, I should 

 fearlessly buy such a horse. 



