distance the points A and B are separated, the longer, of course, must the muscle be to bind them; and the longer the muscle, the more capable it is of contraction; and, consequently, the less exertion is required to raise the leg.

If these points were closer, the contraction of the muscle would be much less, and the point of the shoulder could not be sufficiently projected and elevated; nor could the leg be raised and advanced to make a good stride.

;

The reader must now perceive that the action of the bones, in the angular position they are placed in the shoulders and hinder quarters, is upon the principle of mechanical forces. The elbow is the centre of motion and at each contraction of the muscle connecting the arm of the lever or shoulder-blade and the arm, the leg is raised, and the point of the shoulder projected and elevated.

As the horse breathes only through the nostril, it should be wide and expanded. This is a very striking feature in the thorough-bred horse. The nostril should be thin and elastic, so that it may more readily yield when the necessity of the animal requires a greater supply of air.

The lips should be thin and without wrinkle; for, if thick and hanging, they are almost insensible to the bit.

A long and narrow mouth is desirable, as it indicates sensitive bars. A horse with a short and wide mouth bears heavily upon the bit. A wide under jaw shows a

capacious windpipe, so essential to the respiratory powers of the horse.

somewhat prominent,

The eye should be large and and the eyelid thin and delicate. The expression of the eye enables us to judge pretty accurately of his temper and disposition. If much of the white be seen, it is objectionable.

A long neck is preferable to a short one; for there are few horses of extraordinary speed that have not a long and slender neck. The race horse, at the top of his speed, extends his neck in order that the air-passages may be as straight as possible.

The back should be straight and short, though sufficiently long to admit the saddle between the shoulders and loins.

Hollow-backed horses are generally easy movers, but they cannot carry a heavy load nor endure much hard work.

A horse that is ribbed home, or where there is little space between the ribs and hip bone, is preferable, when endurance is required or weight to carry. He is " easy kept," but deficient in bottom and speed.

The distance between these points is too short to allow a full action of the hinder parts in gathering.

Were a horse perfectly formed in the hind quarters for speed, his gathering or propelling powers would be materially diminished, if "short coupled."

A judge of a horse will at once perceive the defect in a roach-backed horse. When the curve is outward, it is

difficult to adjust the saddle properly; for, as his head is carried too low, it is thrown upon the withers. His hind legs are too much under him, and he frequently overreaches himself.

The loins should be full, broad and muscular. The strength of the back and the action of the hinder extremities depend much upon this point.

A horseman never fails to select a horse that is "wide across the kidneys."

When the horse is somewhat drooped in the croup and wide in the quarter, he is termed ragged-hipped. This materially diminishes his beauty, but indicates great powers from the angular position of the bones.

It is important that the stifle muscles show full when standing behind the horse. As this is a point in beauty, horses of this description are much sought after for their fine appearance in harness.

The tibia, or leg bone, should be long, and the muscles covering it prominent and bulging, not tapering.

The hock should be deep in proportion to the length and breadth of muscles in the quarter. The cannon should be short and flat.

The pasterns of the hackney and traveller should be short and somewhat slanting, yet far less so than those of the racer and hunter.

The oblique or slanting pastern is essential to pleasant action, as there is less concussion.

The foot should be in proportion to the bulk of the horse-open at the heel and high.

The chest should be moderately large. A horse with a very large chest will answer the purposes of draught; but he is not adapted for the saddle, at least when speed and endurance are the objects. He will have too much weight to be impelled, and furthermore, cannot endure the constant shock upon his fore legs.

The most desirable form will be depth at the girth and a swelling out, or barreling, behind the elbow; also a wide chest, or, at least, so much so as will preclude the possibility of an interference in the fore feet (which is common with narrow chested horses) when turning suddenly to the right or left.

A judge of the horse dislikes to see the chest or breast bone too high from the ground; or, in other words, "too much daylight under him."

Horses with a long arm are generally rough and unpleasant in their gaits; the action being high or lofty, with little knee action.

A hackney or lady's horse should have a short arm and a long cannon, which will give sufficient knee action for safety and speed.

The knee should be wide, compared with the arm above, and the cannon, or shank bone, below.

CHAPTER II.

SECTION I.-Horse Equipments.

THE saddle should be proportioned to the size of the horse, and so constructed as to press only upon the ribs on either side of the backbone, leaving a thorough channel above the spine.

The seat of the saddle should be long enough to admit of a free action of the rider's thighs when galloping; if too short, the rider's position will be constrained. The highest part of the saddle should be behind its centre, for the rider will then be enabled to seat himself without stirrups or effort.

In adjusting the saddle upon the horse's back, the pressure should be entirely clear of the shoulders and loins. If the saddle is placed upon the withers, the action of the shoulders is confined; and if the weight is thrown upon the loins, which is the weakest part of the back, the horse will tire the sooner. Besides, it places the rider in rear of the centre of motion, which diminishes the clasp of the thighs and calves, and he becomes the sport of the horse's movements.

This admits of easy illustration. For example, stride a pole six feet long, which is turned to and fro horizontally or vertically, on a pivot fixed in its centre, and you will at once perceive that the nearer you approximate