14 FOltM AND ACTION. 



the long-backed horse are actually sustaining less load than those 

 of the short-backed horse, even though their riders or burthens 

 may be of equivalent weights, from the circumstance of their 

 operating at a greater distance from the load. 



But an important circumstance to be taken into consideration 

 in the present case is the flexibility of the pole or lever — the fact 

 of its being liable to bend under superincumbent weight, and of 

 undergoing, in consequence, alteration in its figure, either from an 

 arc to a straight line or to a reversed arc, whereby its mechanical 

 powers become proportionably weakened. When a horse fails 

 under too heavy a load, we do not find that it is the limbs that give 

 way, but the spine. His back bends or sinks under the weight to 

 the extent of its limits of flexibility, and then the limbs falter, 

 and the whole machine succumbs. Did not the pillars of support 

 yield either from Nature's warning, excessive pain, or from actual 

 inability to sustain more, the spine would probably become frac- 

 tured — not dissevered in its joints, for they are stronger than the 

 bones themselves. 



We now perceive the reason why horses with long and hollow 

 backs are accounted weak. To a degree, they are so, beyond 

 doubt : but it is a great mistake to suppose that horses for riding 

 cannot be made too short in the back. length in the back is at- 

 tended with many advantages : the limbs have a lighter burthen 

 to carry — the stride in progression will admit of being greater, and, 

 providing the hind limbs have length enough to reach forward un- 

 der the load, the facility of forward motion will be increased : the 

 chief disadvantages of such increased longitude, in progression, 

 being the inability of the hind legs to reach the proper fulcral 

 points underneath the machine, and the operation of the additional 

 length or leverage in turning. We often hear excellent practical 

 judges of horses saying, "a horse must have length to gallop;" by 

 which they mean length of back: and, providing the limbs are 

 proportionate in longitude and power, the observation is one which 

 experience will shew to be correct. How frequently do we meet 

 with horses with long backs reported to be, not merely fast, but 

 strong galloppers in heavy ground, and able to carry great weights. 

 I have known even hollow-backed horses have this character. I 

 remember a hunter belonging to Captain P — , of the Guards, one. 



