VcS IBE FORE LIMB, 



this dip; for the fact of their being massive would be 

 even more prejudicial to the galloping pretensions of the 

 horse than if the shoulders were somewhat '* loaded." I 

 may point out that as the neck projects beyond the 

 fore legs, weight in it, by its increased leverage, will 

 interfere with the action of the fore limbs to a propor- 

 tionately greater degree than weight in the shoulders, 

 which will be placed more or less above this bony and 

 muscular spring, to which I have alluded in Chapter VOL 

 (2) By the comparative width between the fore legs, which 

 I have discussed on page 1 68, et seg. (3) By the compara- 

 tive '* thinness" or ** thickness" of the withers. As a rule, 

 any undue thickness of the withers will be specially well 

 noticed, by the rider, at a point on each side, as I have 

 already said, about 4I inches below the top of the withers 

 This is a peculiarity of shape with which every experienced 

 hunting man must be familiar. A study of Figs. 285 and 

 286, which I drew from actual measurements, will further 

 elucidate my meaning. 



I wish to direct special attention to the fact that 

 obliquity and lightness of shoulders, by tending to render the 

 animal's action perfect, are indispensable requisites for enabling 

 him to ''stay" over a distance of ground. I have seen many 

 *' sprinters " which have had upright and loaded shoulders , but 

 I have never known a genuine stayer — like what Ormonde, 

 St. Gatien, or Robert the Devil was — who had that kind of 

 conformation. 



In the shoulders of the draught-horse we should have 

 plenty of power and a broad bearing surface for the collar, 

 into which the animal should be able to put all his weight. 

 It is evident that he cannot do this, if his shoulder-blades be 

 very oblique, which is a form aimed at by the majority of 

 exhibitors. Any such ''show" question does not concern us 

 at present ; for I am regarding the horse entirely from a useful 

 point of view. I find that the deductions I have made in this 

 chapter are, generally, in accordance with the experience of 

 practical men like Mr, G. M. Sexton, Secretary of the 



