LENGTH OF THE BONES OF THE LIMBS, 



137 



proportion (about i to 2\) to the length of the body in both 

 the racer and cart-horse, the comparison does not hold good 

 with regard to the height, which is naturally influenced by the 

 length of the fore legs. 



Width between the Fore Legs shows strength of 

 the pectoral muscles (p. 31) which draw the fore limbs back, 

 and consequent weight on the fore hand. Hence the galloper 

 and jumper must be comparatively narrow in front ; and the 

 cart-horse, broad. 



YiQ, 239. — Fore Foot drawn up so as to touch 



THE Elbow. 



Comparative Weight of Body.— The body of all 

 saddle horses should be as light as is compatible with the due 

 performance of their work ; for any extra weight will be 

 carried at the expense of the soundness of their legs. It is 

 different with the harness horse, which has, comparatively, no 

 weight on his back. The heavy cart-horse requires a deep, 

 massive body for the attachment of his powerful muscles, and, 

 also, to give him the necessary weight to throw into the collar. 

 This subject has been discussed in Chapter IX. (p. 60). 



Comparative Length of the Bones of the Limbs — 



If we ''pick up" in succession the fore feet of a number of 



