MUSCLES OF THE BODY, OR TRUXK. 371 



The next is a group of five muscles, situated beneath the 

 last group. They are also flexors. Some of their tendons ex- 

 tend down to the foot. 



As has already been intimated, these several groups of mus- 

 cles are supplied with long tendons, to reach from the arm to 

 the several bones below, to which their tendons are attached. 

 As they pass the knee and other joints, they pass through 

 loops, or bands of tough ligaments, through which they act as 

 through }xdleys. These tendons are prevented from injury, by 

 rubbing, or friction, by passing through a sheath, lined by 

 a soft, lubricated membrane. These tendons are gathered in 

 a sort of bundle at the back of the cannon-bones, and form 

 what is called the back tendons, or sinews. 



By this arrangement of the muscles being placed high up, 

 about the arm, and their long tendons passing to the lower 

 parts of the leg and foot, great strength and free, quick mo- 

 tion are secured, and but small space occupied. 



Every person should know that unless the muscles of the 

 fore-limbs are fidl and well formed, and particularly those of 

 the arm, the horse is an inferior animal, however beautiful in 

 other respects. But the position of and freedom with which 

 the tendons act is of much importance. They should pass 

 freely by the joints and stand well out from the cannon behind, 

 giving the leg the appearance of breadth from before back- 

 ward. Without this, no horse can excel in the exhibition of 

 strength or quick action, and will certainly give down under 

 protracted service. 



Muscles of the Hind Extremities, or Legs. — The muscles 

 belonging to this class constitute the bulk of the hams, or 

 quarters. They are very heavy and powerful, and are princi- 

 pally concerned in propelling the horse forward and bearing 

 weight ; but this mainly falls on the fore-parts. 



The largest of these muscles are the glutcei, (the tJiree-Jieaded 

 and the two-headed muscles.) They make up the fleshy part of 

 the quarters above. They arise mainly from the rump and 



