256 CONDITION, AND GOOD LOOKS. 



sweet smelling ; internal temperature (in health about ioo"5^ 

 F.), pulse (from about 35 per minute for heavy cart-horses, to 

 about 45 for small ponies), and rate of breathing (10 to 12 per 

 minute, when at rest), normal. The dung should be fairly 

 well formed, free from mucus, and from any offensive smell. 

 The appetite as a rule should be good ; although horses 

 may become a bit "dainty" in their feeding, when they 

 have been wound up in their training to " full concert 

 pitch." 



2. Development and Leanness of Muscles. — The muscles of 

 the croup (those over the quarters) should present a rounded 

 surface, and those over the loins and back, at each side of the 

 backbone, should stand out in bold relief. The line (some- 

 times known as the "water-mark") down the thigh {see PI. 

 55) should be clearly apparent. The muscles just above 

 the fore-arm should form a rounded mass, and those of the 

 shoulders should be well defined. There should be over the 

 ribs a thick sheet of muscle, which should show well 

 above the level of the part of the flank in rear of it. This 

 muscular covering of the ribs terminates abruptly in an 

 irreo-ular line which goes downwards and backwards in the 

 direction of the groin, and which can be seen plainly only 

 when there is no excess of fat about the part. I may explain 

 that in forced respiration [see p. 47), the muscles which 

 cover the ribs are brought into active play, and they 

 consequently, become largely developed by the process that 

 brings the galloper, or fast trotter, into condition. Hence, if 

 there be in a horse a marked difference of level between the 

 surface in front of the line in question, and that in the rear 

 of it {see PI. 54) ; we may reasonably conclude that he has done 

 a good deal of that kind of work which brings his lungs into 



