2 THE HORSEMAN. 



CHAPTER I. 



ON THE POINTS OF THE HORSE. 



IT will be observed that the shoulder blade and the lower 

 bone of the shoulder are not connected together in a 

 straight line, but form a very considerable angle with 

 each other. This angular construction is also in the 

 hinder quarters. (See Plate I.) 



The oblique or slanting shoulder is indispensable in 

 the horse from which action and speed are required. 

 The stride of the animal depends much on the elevation 

 of the fore parts ; for in proportion as the point of the 

 shoulder is brought forward and elevated will be the 

 forward action and elevation of the limb, or the space 

 passed over at every effort. 



In the upright shoulder it is scarcely carried beyond 

 the point at which it is placed in the cut, and, conse- 

 quently, the horse cannot have reaching powers. 



There is less concussion when the shoulder is placed 

 well forward. The horse is also safer ; for, having less 

 weight lying before the legs, he is not so likely to have 

 the centre of gravity thrown before them by any acci- 

 dental trip ; besides, the rider is obliged to sit well to 

 the rear of the shoulder point. 



Horses with upright shoulders have more muscle than 

 those with oblique ones. 



The rising and reaching powers in the fore parts 



