CHAPTER XIII. 



THE HIND LEGS. 



THE HAUNCH. 



The haunch (see 0, p. Fig. 1, and Fig. 33,) is composed of 

 three bones. The first is the iHum, principally concerned in the 

 formation of the haunch. Its extended branches behind the 

 flanks are prominent in every horse. Wheii they are more than 

 usually wide, the animal is said to be ragged-ldpped. A branch 

 runs up to the spine at the commencement of the sacral vertebrae 

 (E), and here the haunch-bones are firmly united with the 

 bones of the spine. The ischium, or hip-bone, is behind and 

 below the ilium. Its tuberosities or prominences are seen under 

 the tail (Fig. 1). The pubis unites with the two former below 

 and behind. 



From the loins to the setting-on of the tail a line sliould be 

 carried on almost straight, or rounded only in a slight degree. 

 Thus the haunch-bones will be most oblique, and will produce a 

 corresponding obliquity, or slanting direction, in the thigh-bone — a 

 direction in which, as stated when the fore legs were described, 

 the muscles act with most advantage. This direction of the 

 haunch is characteristic of the thorough-bred horse ; and by the 

 degree in which it is found, we judge to a considerable extent of 

 the breeding of the animal. If the bones at D and E, (Fig. 1,) 

 take a somewhat arched form, as they do in the cart-horse, it is 

 evident that the haunch-bone would be more upright. The 

 thigh-bone P would likewise be so. The stifle Q. would not be 

 so far under the body, and the power of the horse would be con- 

 siderably impaired. The oblique direction of the haunch and 

 thigh-bovies, produced by the stiaightness of the line of the spine, 

 does not, as is commonly supposed, afibrd increased surface for 

 the attachment of muscles, but places the muscles in a direction 

 to act with great advantage. It is in the advantageous direction, 

 quite as much as in the bulk of the muscle, that the strength of 

 the horse consists. 



