372 NAVIN ox THE HORSE. 



haunch-bone, and pass downward, and are attached to the 

 femu)\ or upper thigh-bone. They act to draw the limb for- 

 ward, or, rather, to flex it. There are many other muscles of 

 this part of the hind extremities, but the only way to form a 

 correct idea of them, is by actual dissection of the dead ani- 

 mal. They lie beneath those already mentioned, for the most 

 part, and are attached below to the thigh-bones, which they 

 assist in moving. 



The next group of muscles to be considered is those lying 

 about the lower thigh-bone, and whose long tendons pass down 

 to the bones of the hough and those below it. Very important 

 in this class are the gastrocnemii muscles, whose long tendons 

 are attached to the point of the hough, and which are com- 

 monly called the hamstrings. These muscles arise from the 

 lower parts of the upper thigh-bone, or femur. The tendon of 

 one of these muscles passes over the hough and on down to 

 the lower pastern-bone. 



The muscles lying about the lower thigh, or proper leg-bone, 

 resemble very much those of the arm in the fore-limb. They 

 have long tendons, which are attached to the bones about the 

 hough, or pass this joint to be fastened to the different bones 

 below. These tendons are also held in place by loops of liga- 

 ment, through which they pass, and are j^rotected by the tough 

 sheaths which surround them. Their office is to effect the 

 various motions of the parts below the hough, and to flex and 

 extend the foot. 



The muscles of the hind extremities should be full, solid, and 

 long. But if the bones of this part are well formed, there is 

 only one danger in the muscles ; they may be loose and flabby, 

 and act with but little power. They are the power by which 

 the horse is urged forward. They need great strength. The 

 shape, size, and position of the hough will have much to do 

 wdth the effect with which those muscles, whose long tendons 

 pass to the lower part of the limb, act. After passing the 

 hough, the back tendons should stand well out from the leg, 



