THE CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE $7 



The Back. — The best back is a straight back, 

 and one that is not over-long. For speed a 

 certain amount of length is requisite, though for 

 strength a short back is the thing to be most 

 desired. Hollow backs should be avoided, as 

 they are as a rule weak, and the hollowness 

 increases considerably as the animal gets older. 

 Eoach-back horses are uneasy to ride, and are 

 unsightly. This term is given to backs which 

 protrude upwards along the centre of the spine, 

 and is caused by an undue prominence and de- 

 velopment of the superior parts (superior spinous 

 processes) of the bones of the dorsal vertebrae. 



Loins. — The loins should be long and muscular, 

 and well arched in shape, the muscular develop- 

 ment being of great importance in this region. 



Ribs. — The ribs should be deep and of an oval 

 shape, and be brought well backwards towards 

 the hips, the horse then being said to be well 

 ribbed up. 



Hi2?s. — The hips should be fairly wide, but not 

 too much so. In riding-horses, and especially in 

 hunters, they require to be more largely de- 

 veloped than in harness horses, although too 



