154 



THE HORSE 



passage of the spinal marrow, with a ridge on the top for the attachment oi 

 the ligament of the neck, and four irregular plates or processes from the 

 sides for the attachment of muscles ; at the base of one of whicli, on either 

 side, are holes for the passage of large arteries and veins. At the upper 

 end of each, is a round head or ball, at the lower end, a cavity or cup, and 

 the head of one being received into the cup of the other, they are united 

 together, forming so many joints. They are likewise joined together by 

 ligaments from these processes, as well as the proper ligaments of the 

 joints, and so securely, that no dislocation can take place between any of 

 them, except tlie first and second, the consequence of which would be the 

 immediate death of the animal. 



The last, or seventli bone, has the elevation on the back or top of it con- 

 tinued into a long and sharp prolongation (a spinous process); and is the 

 beginning of that ridge of bones denominated the withers (see cut, p. 63) ; 

 and as it is the base of the column of neck-bones, and there must be great 

 pressure on it from the weight of the head and neck, it is curiously contrived 

 to rest upon and unite with the two first ribs, which also we shall presently 

 describe as being peculiarly and strongly constructed. 



THE MUSCLES AND PROPER FORM OF THE NECK. 



The bones which we have just mentioned serve as the frame work to 

 which are attached numerous muscles concerned in all (.he motions of the 

 head and neck. The power of the ligament of the neck is precisely adapted 

 to the weight of the head and neck. They are supported by it, without 

 muscular aid, and without fatigue to the animal ; but to raise the head 

 higher, or to lower it, or to turn it in every direction, a complicated system 

 of muscles was necessary. Those whose office it is to raise the head, are 

 most numerous and powerful, and are placed on the upper and side part of 

 the neck. Our cut, p. 119, gives a few of them. 



c marks a tendon common to two of the most important of them, the 

 splenitis, or splint-like muscle, and the complexiis major, or larger compli- 

 cated muscle. The splenius constitutes the principal bulk of the neck 

 above, rising from the ligament of the neck all the way down it, and 



going to the processes of all the 

 bones of the neck, but the first, 

 and flat tendons running from 

 the upper part of it, to the first 

 bone of the neck, and to a pro- 

 cess of the temporal bone of the 

 head. Its action is sufficiently 

 evident, namely, very powerfully 

 to elevate the head and neck. 

 The principal beauty of the neck 

 depends on this muscle. It was 

 most admirably developed in 

 the horse of whose neck the an- 

 ne.xed cut gives an accurate de- 

 lineation. 



If the curve were quite regu 

 lar from the poll to the withers, 

 we should call it a perfect neck. 

 It is rather a long neck, and 

 we do not like it the less for 



