SHOULDERS OF RACE-HORSES. 



their work. As far as mere speed goes, great obliquity of 

 shoulder appears to be no advantage. As the weight is 

 brought more forward by the shoulders being upright, than if 

 they were sloping, the former condition, by increasing the 

 instability of the equilibrium {see p. (i'j), is equally, or 

 even perhaps more conducive to speed than the latter. It 

 also, by tending to bring the humerus into a more horizontal 

 position, places that bone in a more advantageous direction 

 for forward propulsion than it would have with an oblique 

 shoulder ; because the impetus given to the forehand in 

 progression to the front, takes place through that bone. 

 Those particularly speedy animals, antelope and deer, have, I 

 may mention, comparatively straight shoulders. Many of 

 our fastest race-horses have been built in this way. It is not, 

 however, sufficient for a horse to have the great gift of speed 

 in order to shine on the turf ; but he must also be able to 

 "stand training," which will more or less severely test the 

 durability of the bones, ligaments and tendons of his leo-s, 

 and especially of his fore ones. Both in trainino- and in 

 racing, the animal has to carry a rider, whose weight will 

 add materially to the "wear" of the fore legs, the jar on 

 which will be far less when the shoulders are oblique, than 

 when they are comparatively upright. 



Important as obliquity of the shoulders is in the race- 

 horse, it is not nearly so much so as lightness of that part ; for 

 heaviness of the forehand not alone throws increased strain 

 on the fore legs, but also detracts from speed. A simple and 

 practical guide by which we may judge of the lightness or 

 heaviness of the forehand is afforded us by the manner in 

 which the neck runs into the shoulders. If we observe that 

 at their point of union there exists a marked depression {see 



P 2 



