232 THE HIND LIMB. 



The Pelvis. — For speed we require the pelvis to be as 

 long as possible ; for strength, as broad as it can be. 



The consideration of the best slope for the pelvis is a much 

 more difficult question than that of the most suitable angle for 

 the shoulder-blade, which, for most purposes, cannot be too 

 oblique. 



If we examine Fig. 72, and refer to Chapter IX., we shall 

 see that the push, in draught, by the hind leg, is in an irregular 

 line from the toe, through the bones of the hind limb, the 

 pelvis, and the body, to the centre of pressure of the collar 

 on the shoulder. In Fig. 96, the line of propulsion is similar 

 to that in heavy draught, except that it passes through the 

 centre of gravity, instead of the centre of pressure on the 

 shoulder by the collar. It is evident that the straighter, or 

 less convex this irregular line is, the more effective will be 

 the propulsion. In draught, therefore, shortness of the hind 

 limbs, as compared to the forehand, will be an advantage (as 

 I have also pointed out on p. 74), in that it will tend to 

 render the line of bones through which propulsion takes 

 place, straight. As good length of hind limb is a necessity 

 in the galloper ; any reduction in the convexity of this line 

 will have to be obtained by the opening out of its angles, and 

 not by curtailing the length of the hind limb. Thus, the 

 hind leg will be stretched out as much as possible to the rear 

 (compare Figs. 72 and 96), and the direction of the pelvis (as 

 a point of conformation) will be more horizontal than in the 

 draught animal. The so-called horizontal croup is not alone 

 a great beauty in the saddle horse, but it is also a decided 

 mark of speed. If the pelvis or croup (which in this case is 

 practically the same thing) be too level {see p. 203), we may 

 suspect that the back is weak. 



