THE THIGH. 107 



consequently scanty of muscle, is a regular weed — lie 

 is good for nothing. Strong muscles are requii-ed both 

 inside and outside the thigh in eveiy description of 

 horse. There can be nothing more important or beau- 

 tiful than a large development of muscle on the outside 

 of the thigh-bone. It is always a point of great at- 

 traction in the racer or hunter, in whom it must, of 

 necessity, be developed. In some cases this part ap- 

 pears better developed than it really is, in consequence 

 of a bend in the outline of the bones. This is no ad- 

 vantage, and it must not be confounded with a well- 

 thrown out muscle. The thigh-bones ought to lie at a 

 reasonable distance from each other ; the space between 

 them should be well filled up with muscular substance, 

 and the muscles on the outside should project in a very 

 prominent and well-marked form. 



Havmg inspected the quarters from behind, we 

 must take a look at them on the side. We should see 

 that the stifle-joint extends far forwards, and is situ- 

 ated low down. This arrangement, by remo^^ng the 

 stifle to a greater distance from the pin-bone, as well 

 as from the front of the haunch-bone, increases the 

 surface for the attachment of muscles, adds to their 

 length, and improves their leverage position. The far- 

 ther these points are distant from each other, as a mat- 

 ter of course, the longer and more numerous mW. be 

 the muscular fibres which extend between them. 



The distance from the stifle straight across to the 



