THE FORE-LEG. 51 



attention. The advantage, in muscular action, which 

 is gained by the addition of an inch to its length, is 

 prodigious, as could easily be proved by a reference to 

 the principle of the lever in mechanics ; and therefore 

 it is a matter of great importance to have the elbow 

 thrown far back from the front of the arm. The more 

 breadth and strength there is in this locality the better. 

 ( There are three masses of muscle connected with the 

 arm which should be carefully inspected. They are all 

 capable of being seen and distinctly felt. Unless the 

 inspection is made in a very slovenly manner, thev can- 

 not be confounded with each other, or with the bone. 

 One of them is placed on the outer edge of the arm in 

 front ; the second is dii'ectly behind ; and the third is 

 inside, at the junction of the leg and chest. They must 

 all be large and strong, no matter to what purpose the 

 animal is to be applied. The first and second are en- 

 gaged in extending and flexing the limb, and the third 

 has the following very important office to fulfil : when 

 the horse is trotting or galloping, it confines the arm to 

 the side, keeps the leg in a straight line, and prevents the 

 limbs from being too widely separated, and thus spread 

 abroad by the hea\y pressm-e of the weight above. 

 Not one of these muscles can be dispensed with under 

 any circumstances, as the strength of the fore-leg, and 

 its power for carrying forward the machine, bear a 

 direct proportion to their development. Weakness 

 in them is unquestionably a radical defect. They have 



