AS TO SOUNDNESS. 43 
weight, the pelvis, and most of the abdomen for their 
share. 
Still using our plumb line, let us watch the well-made 
horse, or any other for.that matter, standing on level 
ground asdeep ; and we find the column of bones from 
the fetlock to the elbow, not perpendicular as before, 
but inclined very much forward,:so that our plumb line, 
instead of passing through the long axis of the fore leg 
and falling behind the foot, actually passes ¢hvough the 
foot, obliquely through-the phalanges, and out of the 
leg just below the knee ; again comes through the body 
at the girth place, and comes out above on the fostertor 
part of the withers. “You'can verify this.any day you 
like by going to a street cab-stand. It will be strange if 
you do not find some horse in’the stand either sound 
asleep or nodding. Vow what weight’ have we before 
the line? You have— 
1. Nearly all the‘ fore legs. ,3- Thorax. 
2. Shoulders. 4. Head. 
“5. Neck. 
And to balance this extensive weighty mass you have 
little more than the hind legs and pelvic organs; so that 
when the horse is asleep you see the fore legs are truly 
the weight-bearers. In this attitude the hind limbs have 
themselves only to take care of, and very little else. In 
the wadk and trot we find the fore limb similarly related 
to our plumb line as in s/eep, but only one limb so at a 
time, and not -both. --Whem-the horse lies down, all the 
