2o8 THE FORE LIMB. 



minimised ; for the more oblique the pastern, the easier will 

 it be for the horse to bring his heel first on the ground at 

 each step. 



To propel the body forzuard to the best advantage, we 

 require a humerus not much removed from a horizontal 

 position ; for the pushing force derived from the fore limb 

 takes place through that bone. Also, in propulsion, the 

 muscles which bend the fetlock joint will act best, the more 

 upright is the pastern {sec p. 69). I need not say any- 

 thing here about backward propulsion, as it has but little 

 bearinof on conformation. I have made some remarks on 

 reining back in Chapter XII. {see p. 119). 



To raise the forehand effectively, we require obliquity of 

 shoulder blade and pastern, so as to favour the straighten- 

 ing of the limb {see p. 63). 



From the foregoing observations we may see that the 

 conformation most suitable to one function of the fore limb 

 may differ essentially from that best adapted to other offices 

 performed by it. Consequently, the conformation to be 

 soueht for in the fore limb of a horse will be the best 

 possible combination of somewhat conflicting elements. 



The Shoulder. — The degree of slope of the sJioulder is 

 difficult for inexperienced persons to determine, especially 

 when the part is covered by fat or by thick muscles. French 

 writers give rules for measuring with a kind of clinometer the 

 obliquity of the shoulder blade, which is an operation, I must 

 confess, that I have not been able to perform satisfactorily. 

 I have studied the subject for many years, and find that I can 

 rely fairly well on the instruction my eyes have received 

 during that time. The horse with the most oblique shoulders 



