1*2 INTRODUCTION. 



the full stretch of the hind extremities, and, therefore, 

 for a longer stride, and greater speed. 



The Withers. — There are a great many important 

 points connected with the spine. The withers ar.e the 

 upright projections of the six first bones of the back. 

 High withers have, in the opinion of every judge of 

 the horse, been associated with superior action. In 

 proportion as the withers are high, the muscles con- 

 nected with them and the shoulder-bones have the 

 advantage of more extensive motion. Therefore, if 

 the other parts correspond, we have generally high 

 action connected with the withers. For the horse of 

 quick work, high withers are desirable ; but not for 

 animals of heavy draught; for in proportion to this 

 power of elevation, there is usually a lightness, which 

 would be a considerable defect in him whose excel- 

 lence depends on the weight which he is able to throw 

 into the collar. Hig-h withers would be a defect 

 rather than an excellence in the dray-horse. In 

 race-horses, too, the withers may be too high, as, by 

 causing the action to be lofty, this formation dimi- 

 nishes the length of the stride. 



The Spine of the horse is a beautiful contrivance. 

 The chest and abdomen contain organs of the greatest 

 importance, and essentially connected with life. If 

 they were suspended from an unyielding bar, as of 

 iron, the concussion would be fatal. If the back were 

 unyielding, who could bear to be jolted upon the 

 horse for a single mile ? — On the other hand, if it 

 yielded too much, it would betray a weakness incom- 

 patible with strength. The spine is therefore divided 

 into numerous bones, forming so many joints; each 



