102 THE HORSE 



to the sacral portion of the backbone. A little con- 

 sideration will show an important reason for this differ- 

 ence. The weight of the horse has to be sustained by 

 the shoulder, and, especially when landing over a fence, 

 a jar would be given to the spine, and possibly injury 

 might be inflicted on the contents of the chest and the 

 viscera if the shoulder was affixed to the spine by an 

 unyielding attachment. The hind-legs, however, require, 

 on the contrary, a very firm point, to use for their 

 powerful leverage, and so by a skilful arrangement each 

 is provided with what it needs. 



At the lower extremity of the shoulder-blade is a cup- 

 shaped hollow, the glenoid cavity, with which the rounded 

 head of the humerus, the lower bone of the shoulder, 

 articulates. This humerus is so hidden by muscle as not 

 to be visible externally as a distinct bone. It is short 

 and strong, at almost right angles with the shoulder-blade, 

 and its direction is backwards, and terminates in two 

 heads, between which the upper end of the radius, or 

 arm-bone, is received. The insertion of the humerus 

 between the shoulder-blade and the forearm in such a 

 manner that two angles are formed, makes splendid 

 provision for minimising a shock, by the free bending of 

 both joints. On the backward sloping of the shoulder- 

 blade greatly depends the freedom of the motion of the 

 fore limb, and the consequent length of stride and ability 

 to recover from the effect of a stumble, either in ordi- 

 nary paces or when leaping ; and it is the correct adjust- 

 ment of the upper and lower shoulder-bones which 

 ensures true action in walking and trotting, the elbow 

 neither being turned out too much nor pinned in. When 

 seated on the animal the working of the upper part of 

 the shoulder-blade should not be visible under the skin if 

 the bone is correctly laid, and such being the case affords 

 an excellent indication of a good shoulder. With this the 

 height of the withers has nothing to do, for that depends, 

 as shown above, entirely on the development of the upper 

 processes of the anterior portion of the dorsal vertebrae. 

 Beginners are too apt to have a confused notion that a 



