14 INTRODUCTION. 



the spring will be its weakness ; in proportion as the 

 distance between the hind and fore legs increases, will 

 strength be wanting in the back. On the other hand, 

 a back a little too short may promise strength; but it 

 will be accompanied with rough action, by a defi- 

 ciency of speed, a tendency to unsafeness, and par- 

 ticularly to overreaching. However, for general pur- 

 poses, a short rather than a long-backed horse is com- 

 monly preferred, as possessing all the strength that 

 can be desired ; a hardihood of constitution which in 

 a manner bids defiance to disease; and as much of 

 speed as is usually required. 



The Line of the Back. — The proper form of the back 

 is a depression immediately behind the withers, and 

 then a straight or gentle-rising line to the loins. 

 There are two deviations from this, the saddle and the 

 roach back. In the saddle back there is a hollowness. 

 This betrays some degree of weakness, but is accom- 

 panied by easiness of action, and generally with an 

 arched neck. It is scarcely an objection if the horse 

 has to carry a light weight ; and it gives nobleness to 

 his appearance in single harness. The roach-backed 

 horse, whose back bends up, is dear at any price ; for 

 there is no keeping the saddle upon him, or preventing 

 his back being galled: his hind legs are awkwardly 

 doubled under him, his head is low, and he is heavy 

 on hand. 



The Loins. — The loins should be most carefully 

 examined. They are rightly considered as significant 

 of the general strength or weakness of the animal. 

 If they are broad and muscular, he will be equal to 

 considerable work : but, if there is no substance 



