{ 307 ) 



v_^ rl A J: i lif K. y\.X.^l. 



PROPORTIONS OF THE HORSE. 



BouRGELAT, Mcrche, Duhousset, Goubaux, Barrier, and other 

 writers on Conformation have laid down certain proportions 

 for an ideal horse, which, unfortunately; does not exist as a 

 distinctive type. Failing to draw sufficient attention to the 

 great difference of shape between horses of speed and those 

 of strength, the comparisons which they have instituted 

 between the dimensions of the limbs and those of the head 

 and body are wholly arbitrary. I need hardly remind my 

 readers that, speaking generally, although the respective 

 proportions of the head and body are practically the same 

 in all classes of horses, the length of the neck and limbs 

 varies according to the work for which the muscles of these 

 parts are best suited. Hence the only proportions of the 

 horse which are fixed within narrow limits are those of the 

 head and body. We may sum up the most evident ones 

 as follows : — 



Proportions Common to all Classes of Horses. 



The measurements here given hav reference to Fig. 396. 



(i) Length of body {a b) = 2^ to 2| times length of head {k /). 



(2) Height at withers (c d) = height at croup {fg). 



(3) Length of head (k /) =: depth of body at lowest part of back (h z), 



(4) Length of head = distance of " swell" of muscle at posterior angle 



of shoulder-blade to point of hip (s t). 



(5) Distance (kf) of top of head to corner of mouth = distance from 



point of hip to point of buttock {t u). 



(6) Width of head {m n) = § length of head {k I), 



That careful observer. Colonel Duhousset. states that 



(7) Length of head = distance of point of shoulder to top of withers. 



