CHAPTEE VII 

 CONFOEMATION 



IN considering the conformation of the horse, before deahng 

 with the external characteristics — the muscles and 

 general appearance — attention must be paid to the 

 skeleton, the framework to which the muscles are attached, 

 and on which the body is built up. Bone consists of phos- 

 phate and carbonate of lime in the proportion of 56 of the 

 former, to 13 of the latter, the remainder being a kind of 

 gelatine. These proportions differ somewhat in old and 

 young animals, the latter having a larger proportion of 

 gelatine, about one-half, whilst in older animals it does not 

 amount to more than one-third. The series of bones 

 composing the skeleton may be divided into two groups, the 

 one comprehending those of the trunk, and the other those 

 of the limbs. 

 In the first group are the — 



Head, or Cranium. 



Neck, or Cervical vertebrae. 



Back, or Dorsal vertebrte (these are the only ones bearing the 



ribs) . 

 Eibs. 

 Loins, or Lumbar vertebrae (between those bearing the ribs and 



the haunch-bones). 

 The Croup, or Sacral vertebrae (also termed the pelvic arch). 

 The Dock or Tail, or Caudal vertebrae. 

 Breastbone, or Sternum. 

 Haunch, or Pelvis. 



153 



