LECTURES ON HORSES. 
63 
and behind by the back limbs, after the manner of a barrel of 
beer or a sedan between its bearers, it is manifest that the greater 
its length the greater must be the leverage, and consequent re- 
duction of the weight of its burthen. On this principle, the legs of 
the long-backed horse are actually sustaining less load than those 
of the short-backed horse, even though their riders or burthens 
may be of equivalent weights, from the circumstance of their 
operating at a greater distance from the load. 
But an important circumstance to be taken into consideration 
in the present case is the flexibility of the pole or lever — the fact 
of -its being liable to bend under superincumbent weight, and of 
undergoing, in consequence, alteration in its figure, either from an 
arc to a straight line or to a reversed arc, whereby its mechanical 
powers became proportionally weakened. When a horse fails 
under too heavy a load, we do not find that it is the limbs that give 
way, but the spine. His back bends or sinks under the weight to 
the extent of its limits of flexibility, and then the limbs falter, 
and the whole machine succumbs. Did not the pillars of support 
yield either from Nature’s warning, excessive pain, or from actual 
inability to sustain more, the spine would probably become frac- 
tured — not dissevered in its joints, for they are stronger than the 
bones themselves. 
We now perceive the reason why horses with long and hollow 
backs are accounted weak. To a degree, they are so, beyond 
doubt : but it is a great mistake to suppose that horses for riding 
cannot be made too short in the back. Length in the back is at- 
tended with many advantages : the limbs have a lighter burthen 
to carry — the stride in progression will admit of being greater, and 
providing the hind limbs have length enough to reach forward un- 
der the load, the facility of forward motion will be increased : the 
chief disadvantages of such increased longitude, in progression, 
being the inability of the hind legs to reach the proper fulcral 
points underneath the machine, and the operation of the additional 
length or leverage in turning. We often hear excellent practical 
judges of horses saying, “a horse must have length to gallop;” by 
which they mean length of back: and, providing the limbs are 
proportionate in longitude and power, the observation is one which 
experience will shew to be correct. How frequently do we meet 
with horses with long backs reported to be, not merely fast, but 
strong galloppers in heavy ground, and able to carry great weights. 
I have known even hollow-backed horses have this character. 1 
remember a hunter belonging to Captain P — , of the Guards, one, 
without exception, of the most hollow -backed horses I ever saw, 
and yet this horse, Captain P. who is 
‘‘A skilful horseman, and a huntsman bred,” 
