THE ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 19 



inches above the back part of the knee joint they become tendinous, 

 and from there down to the back part of the foot bone, where two 

 of the principal muscles are attached; these form what is known as 

 the back tendons, or cords, of the leg^. Some of them become 

 attached to the back part of the knee, same as the muscles on the 

 front part of the leg, while the other two principal tendons pass 

 through a loop formed by ligaments, the same as those mentioned 

 in the front part of the knee. In tracing these tendons down from 

 the knee to the fetlock, they pass through another large loop or 

 sheath formed at the hick of the fetlock, where some of the fibres 

 are attached, while others continue down at the back part of the 

 pastern bones, and are attached to the os pedis, or foot bone 

 These tendons are important as they are known, when they are 

 strained, as the strain of the back tendons. The action of these 

 muscles is to flex the leg, bend the knee, pastern joints and fetlock. 



Muscles of Hind Leg:. — These are also divided into two 

 groups, extensor and flexor. 



The extensor muscles are situated in front of the hind leg ; 

 attached, above, around the stifle joint, passing downwards in 

 front of the thigh bone, one being attached to the front part of the 

 hock, while the other passes through sheaths, or loops, which is 

 supplied by a synovial membrane, formed by ligaments, to hold 

 the muscles firm in front while the leg is in action. In tracing 

 them down, in front of the shin bone to the fetlock, we find them 

 passing through loops, or sheaths, continuing down in front of 

 the pastern bones to where they are attached. The action of these 

 is to bring the leg forward. 



The flexor muscles of the hind leg are attached, above, 

 around the back part of the stifle joint. In tracing them down it 

 is found they become tendinous. Two of the principal ones pass 

 down to that part of the hock joint, which sticks up behind, known 

 as the cap. These form what is called the gamb of the leg, and 

 are partly attached at the point of the hock, the other part passing 

 down to the fetlock joint through a loop, or sheath, along the 

 hack part of the pastern bones, and are attached to the foot bone. 

 This muscle, from the hock down, forms one of the back tendons 

 of the hind leg. Another important muscle is found passing down 

 underneath the ones already mentioned, through a loop, or 

 sheath, at the back part of the hock, where it is supplied with a 

 synovia sack. This is a point of importance, for when it becomes 



