102 THE HORSE. 



can leap weU if he is deficient behind. Look, for ex- 

 ample, at the kangaroo, the hare, the gi-eyhound, the 

 cat, and the tiger. Can any formation exceed their 

 hind-quarters in strength and leverage power ; and are 

 they not proverbial for their power of leaping and 

 running? As might be expected, theii' action is in 

 perfect accordance with their form. So is it also with 

 the horse. When suppUed with good hind-quarters, 

 he can perform wonderful feats. It is well authenti- 

 cated that Vainhope took a leap measuring thkty-four 

 feet in width ; and we are informed by the celebrated 

 Nimrod, that "In 1821, Mr. Mytton's horse, 'The 

 Hero,' cleared timber seven feet in height, with a very 

 short run to it, in Mr. Jellico's grounds in Shropshire, 

 with Mr. Mytton on his back." Such performances 

 could not be accomplished without an adequate power 

 behind. 



If we wish to form a correct estimate of the develop- 

 ment of the hind-quarters, we must pay special atten- 

 tion to the length, shape, and position of the bones, as 

 weU as to the length, size, and direction of the muscles. 

 The bones constitute so many distinct levers ; whilst 

 the muscles are the powers by which these levers are 

 put in motion. When the bones are short and unfa- 

 vourably placed, the muscles cannot act upon them 

 with sufficient power, or to the best advantage. If 

 the muscles are long from theii' origin to theu' termina- 



