OF MUSCULARITY AND ELASTICITY 



85 



the elastic ligament behind the bone ; and behind 

 that the flexor tendons, large, round, and strong. 

 Strong tendons are provided for strong muscles, 

 and the size of these indicate the muscular 

 strength. Such muscles, being powerful flexors, 

 cause high and round action, and such horses are 



/: v """ r r.S? 



/ "fe&O. 



FIG. 28. 



safe to ride ; their feet are generally preserved 

 good, owing to the pressure they sustain from 

 their high action. But this excellence in a horse 

 will not make him a favorite at Newmarket. 

 The circular motion cannot be the swiftest; a 

 blood-horse carries his foot near the ground. 

 The speed of a horse depends on the strength of 

 his loins and hind quarter ; and what is required 



