f(^3 



THE HORSE 



and by so doing urge forward the body. Being inserted nearly in a per- 

 pendicular direction, it has great power, but that power is employed 

 disadvantageously, on account of being placed so near the joint or centre 

 of motion. 



The muscle at y, descending likewise from the sacrum, and from the 

 first bones of the tail, runs down posterior to the last muscle, and forms 

 tlie hinder border of the haunch. It is inserted into the lower bone of the 

 thigh, and assists in performing the same kind of motion. .AH these 

 muscles are particularly prominent in the thorough-bred horse, and are the 

 source of his strength and speed ; and hence another very important point 

 in the horse. These muscles, to perform their full action, should be so 

 developed, that the horse, when the observer stands behind him, although 

 wide enough at the loins and haunch, should yet be perceptibly wider at 

 the thighs. The following cut, containing one excellence above, and many 

 defects below, will illustrate our meaning. 



CUT OF THE HAtmce AND HIND LEGS. 



STRAIN OF THE ROUND BONE. 



The joint of the upper bone of 

 the thigh with the haunch is com- 

 monly called the whirl or round 

 bone. It has been stated, that it 

 has, in some rare instances, been 

 dislocated and fractured : it is 

 however much oftener sprained, 

 but not so often as the groom or 

 farrier imagine. There is noth- 

 ing peculiar in the lameness to 

 detect injury of this part, except 

 that frequently the horse will 

 drag his leg after him on the toe. 

 Injury of the round bone, or hip 

 joint, will be principally dis- 

 covered by heat and tenderness 

 in the situation of the joint. 



A part so deeply seated is 

 treated with difficulty. Fomen- 

 •'*' tations should first be used to 

 abate the inflammation, and after 

 that an active blister should be 

 applied. Strains of this joint are 

 not always immediately relieved, 

 and the muscles of the limb con- 

 siderably waste; and therefore it 

 may be necessary to repeat the 

 blister, while absolute rest should 

 accompany every stage of the 

 treatment. It may even be re- 

 quisite to fire the part, or, as a 

 last resort, a charge may b*^ pat 

 over the joint, and tlie h rse turned out for two or three montlis. 



