Book VII. ORGANOLOGY OF THE HORSE. 88^ 



bone between them. When the protuberances of the ilium or haunch bone are very prominent, the- 

 horse is said to be ragged hipped ; but it operates to his disadvantage only in appearance, as extent in 

 these parts, being favorable to muscular attachment, is always beneficial. 



5603. The croup extends from the loins to the setting on of the tail (n n). It should be long and only 

 slightly rounded, which is another characteristic of the blood or improved breed. In the cart horse, on 

 the contrary, it is seen short and much more considerably rounded (n n). A long croup is in every 

 point of view the most perfect, for it affords a very increased surface for muscular attachment, and 

 although the large buttocks of the cart horse would at first sight convey an idea of great strength and 

 extent, yet attentively viewed, it will be found that the early rounding of the sacral line, the low setting 

 on of the tail, and the small space which necessarily exists between the hips and buttocks, all tend to 

 lessen the surface of muscular attachment, compared with the broad croup, wide haunches, and deep 

 spread thighs of the blood horse. 



5G()4. The flank (k), is the space contained between the ribs and haunches; when too extensive, it 

 indicates weakness, because it is the consequence of too long a back ; and such a horse is said not to be 

 well ribbed up. When the transverse processes of the lumbar Vertebrae are short, as in bad loined 

 horses, this part is hollow. The flank is usually looked to also as" indicative of the state of respiration : 

 thus, when it rises and falls quicker than ordinary, unless violent exertion has just been used, it beto- 

 kens present fever, or otherwise, chronic disease of the lungs. 



560.5. The belli/ (i). Having taken a tour round the upper parts of the carcase, we will carry the survey 

 downwards and forwards. Anteriorly, the ribs should be wide upwards, and as much deepened below 

 as possible, which affords what is termed great depth in the girth. This form greatly increases the 

 surface of attachment of the motive organs, the muscles, and also allows room for the free expansion 

 of the lungs, and consequently is favorable to the wind. Posteriorly, the ribs should form the body as 

 much as possible into a circular figure, that being of all iOthers the most extended, and affording the best 

 surface for the absorption of nutriment ; thus barrelled horses, as they are termed, are greatly admired. 

 When the chest is too flat and straight, the belly is also small ; hence, neither can the blood absorb its 

 vital principle from the air, nor the lacteals the chyliferous juices from the intestines; these horses are 

 therefore seldom durable. As less nutriment is taken up by the constitution, so less is eaten, thus also 

 they are seldom good feeders ; and as the pressure on the intestines must be considerable from the small 

 containing surface, so they are usually likewise what is termed washy ; that is, easily purged, whereby an 

 additional cavise of weakness exists, from the too early passing off" of the food. Such horses are, however, 

 verv commonly spirited and lively, although not lasting. A knowledge of the advantages gained by a 

 circular form of carcase or belly, as affording the greatest capacity, is what constituted Bakewell's grand 

 secret in the breeding of cattle : he always bred from such animals as would be most likely to produce 

 this form, well knowing that no other would fatten so advantageously. 



5606. The whirlbane (/), among the jockies and grooms, is the articulation of the thigh bone, with the 

 pelvis, or basin, and forms the hip joint. The ligaments of this powerful joint are sometimes extended, 

 and a very obstinate lameness is usually the consequence. Thus the situation of the thigh {I, ?), 

 is in the horse, as in most quadrupeds, enveloped within the range of the trunk. 



5607. The stifle (m) corresponds with the knee of the human figure, and is the point at the lower 

 portion of the flank It is evident that the part below this, which is generally called the thigh or 

 gascoin, is erroneously so named. It should be very muscular and extended, it should also make a 

 considerable angle with the femur or thigh, and form a direct line under the hip or haunch. Its 

 length in all animals destined for speed is considerable. 



5608. T^he fore extremilies or legs. In treating on the mechanical properties of the 

 skeleton, we shall have to point out the essential differences between the geometrical 

 structure and functions of the fore and hinder extremities. We sh^ll here content our- 

 selves with a simple examination of the individual parts. 



5609. The arm of the horse (6) is apt to be overlooked, nor, without some consideration, does it strike the 

 observer, that thearm covered with muscles, and enveloped within the common skin of the chest, ex- 

 tends from the elbow (a) to the point of the shoulder, as it is termed, but correctly to its own point 

 below and before the shoulder blade {flg. 615). The same reasons which render a muscular, oblique, 

 and deep shoulder advantageous, also make it desirable that this part should be muscular and extensive 

 in length and breadth, and that its obliquity should be proportionate to that of the shoulder : from whence 

 it results, that the more acute the angle between them, the greater will be the extent of the motion 

 gained bv the flexion and extension of the parts. 



5610. The fore arm (c), which horsemen consider and call the arm, is placed upright to counter, 

 act the angular position of the real arm and shoulder bones. As it is always found long in animals 

 destined for great speed, as we witness in the hare and greyhound, it should therefore be of considerable 

 length when speed is a requisite quality ; but for the cadences of the manege, where the elasticity is re- 

 quired to be distributed equally through all parts of the limb, it is chosen short. The fore arm is broad 

 and large, particularly upwards, for here the powerful muscles that operate the motions of the parts be- 

 low, are almost all of them situated. To iirevent encumbrance, and to give solidity, these muscles dege- 

 nerate into tendons and ligaments below the fore arm ; but above, it is essentially necessary to strength 

 that they should be large and well marked. 



5611. The knee (d), so called, is properly, with reference to human anatomy, the carpus or wrist. 

 It is composed of manv bones to enable it to resist the jar arising from the action of the perpendi- 

 cular parts above and below it. All the joints of the extremities, but particularly those of the knee 

 and hock, should be broad, that the surface of contact may be increased, and the stability augmented ; by 

 this means likewise, a more extensive attachment is aff"orded to muscles and ligaments; their insertions 

 are also thereby removed farther from the centre of motion. 



5612; As criteria of safe going, the knees should be particularly exa7nined when it is contemplated tc* 

 purchase a horse, to see whethefr the skin has been broken by falls ; and in this, very minute attention is 

 required ; for sometimes the wound heals so perfectly, or otherwise so much art is used in shaving the 

 hair, blistering, coloring, and rubbing it down, picking out the white or staring hairs, &c., that more 

 than common nicety is required to detect a slight scar. It is, however, prudent to remember, that it id 

 not every horse whose knees betray a scar, that is a stumbler : the best may have a fall in the dark. 

 It is also necessary to caution persons against the. admission of a very common prejudice, that when 

 a horse has once been down, however little he may have hurt his knees, he is rendered more liable than 

 before to a similar accident. If his limbs have not been weakened by the accident, or if the scar be not 

 sufficiently large to prevent the free bending of the knee, he is not at all more hable to fall than another 

 horse. If, therefore, a horse with a .scar on his knee have the forehand good, and if his action correspond 

 thereto, he ought not to be refused on this ground : but with a different conformation he ought to be 

 steadily rejected, let the tale told be ever so plausible. In gross heavy horses a scabby eruption often seats 

 itself around the inner bend of the knee {h), which is called mallenders. 



5613. The canon or shank (c) carries the limb down elegant, light, straight, and strong. Much stress 

 is deservedly laid on the necessity that this part of the limb should be wide when viewed laterally. 

 Viewed in front, its being thin> is favorable, because made up as it is principally of bone and tendon, 

 any addition to it beyond these must arise from useless cellular matter, or otherwise from matter worse 

 than useless, being placed there by disease. Any thickening of the part generally or partially, should h 



