16 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



The length of the haunch hones, determiniDg tliat of 

 the croup, can never be too large, because with this 

 length increases not only the length of the thigh 

 bone, but also the distance of the hip joint from the 

 hip, and also from the point of the ischium. With 

 the largeness of these dimensions grows also the 

 space for the development of the most important 

 muscles for the extending and propelling power of 

 the hind leg ; besides developing a more favorable 

 condition for the contractile power of the muscles 

 between their two fastening points. The angle 

 formed between haunch and thigh bone varies 

 between 80 and 100 degrees. In the stifle-joint 

 the thigh bone is connected with the leg bone, 

 under an angle of about 120 degrees. Hip 

 and stifle-joint together are generally called the 

 "haunches," and the pliability of these two joints 

 is called *' the contractibility of the haunches." 



The haunches, as well as the thigh hone, are, on 

 their surfaces, covered with so many powerful mus- 

 cles that their structure and connection can only 

 be judged by the formation and the length of the 

 croup and the position of the stifle-joint. The loca- 

 tion of the latter is of great importance, as it enables 

 us to draw a conclusion as to the length and oblique- 

 ness of the thigh bone. A well-formed stifle-joint 

 reaches with its forward point near to the perpen- 



