i66 THE TRUNK. 



over-work, too excitable a temperament, or improper manage- 

 ment of some kind. If we consider that these abdominal 

 muscles act by tending to become straight between their points 

 of attachment, and that when in a passive state they are longer 

 than when they contract, we shall see that, when in a con- 

 dition of rest, they should be gently rounded, and should be 

 neither drawn straight nor bulged out. In Chapter XXI I. , I 

 shall consider the special development of these muscles. 



Withers. — The chief object which the withers fulfil, is to 

 afford attachment for the suspensory ligament of the head 

 and neck ; for muscles which extend the head and neck ; for 

 muscles that draw the shoulder blade forward ; for the powerful 

 muscle that runs along the top of the back and extends the 

 vertebrae ; and for a muscle which aids inspiration by bringing 

 the ribs forward. If we look at the skeleton (Fig. 12), we 

 shall readily see that the fact of the withers rising, as they 

 do, above the line of the back, greatly assists the action of the 

 elastic ligament that supports the head and neck, and of the 

 muscles which extend these parts. It also increases the 

 power of the muscle which extends the back and loins. 

 Besides, it tends to give length to the muscle which is 

 attached to the withers and which helps to draw the shoulder 

 forward, and by affording increased space for the top of the 

 shoulder blade, it favours length of this important bone. The 

 further back the withers extend, the more do they, by giving 

 a broad surface for attachment, indicate large development of 

 the muscle which extends the back and loins, and the more 

 room do they afford for the backward slope of the shoulder 

 blade. Hence, withers which are high and which extend far 

 back, are generally associated with a good carriage of the 

 head and neck ; free movement of the shoulder ; long and 

 sloping shoulder blades ; and strength in the back and loins. 

 Such a conformation is desirable in every kind of horse, 

 and especially in the race-horse, hunter, and steeplechaser. 

 Low withers, on the contrary, are usually accompanied by 

 .heavy, short and upright shoulders. Lecoq observes that 



