2IO THE FORE LIMB. 



as to emphasise the presence of the depression. This differ- 

 ence of level between the neck and shoulder will be best 

 observed when the former is thin and the latter thick. I 

 need hardly say that such a combination is objectionable ; 

 for the degree of muscularity of the one ought to agree with 

 that of the other. At the same time, a properly shaped, 

 heavy draught-horse will always have prominent shoulders, 

 which in him are desirable, so as to give a broad surface for 

 pressure against the collar. 



Length of sJwulder-blade is a valuable "point" in all 

 classes of horses. In the racer, considerable length of the 

 muscles which open and close the angle made by the 

 shoulder-blade and humerus, is conducive to speed. As the 

 size of a bone is, as a rule, proportionate to the strength of 

 the muscles which are attached to it ; the length of the 

 shoulder-blade may generally be taken as a measure of the 

 strength of the muscles which connect it with the trunk, and 

 upon which the weight-bearing powers of the animal are 

 mainly dependent. Hence, a large shoulder-blade is not 

 alone advantageous to the weight carrier and heavy cart- 

 horse ; but it is also essential to the jumper, in order to enable 

 him to bear the shock of landing over a fence with a man on 

 his back. The dog, which has a short shoulder-blade, as 

 compared to the horse and ass, is, as we might expect, a very 

 bad weight carrier. We may prove this practically by testing 

 the respective strength of back of a mastiff weighing, say, 

 ten stone, and a very small donkey, who, although he might 

 not have as great draught power as a dog, would be able 

 to carry far more weight. 



The shoulders of the race-horsey as I have already indicated, 

 should be long, oblique, and as light as is compatible with 



