MUS TA RD — MUTE 



and hence the greater speed is obtained where the animals 

 possess long and thin muscles. On the other hand, where 

 strength rather than speed is required the muscles are short 

 but thick, the amount of muscle an animal possesses being 

 dependent upon his bone, as unless there is bone for the 

 muscles to be attached to, it is obvious that they cannot 

 exist, as there would be no place for them. Every part of 

 the body which moves is influenced by the action of muscles ; 

 for instance, the head is stretched forward and brought back 

 into its usual position by muscles which are connected with 

 the poll and the neck and poll and the withers, whilst it is 

 bent by muscles which stretch from the lower jaw to the 

 breast bone. The shoulder blades are connected with the 

 trunk and head by muscles, and the fore-legs to the shoulder 

 and breast bone by muscles likewise. The muscles which 

 control knee action are attached to the front of the humerus, 

 or lower bone of the shoulders, and those which bend the 

 pastern and lower joints of the limb are fixed to the back 

 portion of the same bone. The stifle is influenced in its 

 movements by one muscle attached to the pelvis, and by two 

 connected with the thigh bone, whilst the hock is extended 

 by those connected with the back of the gaskin. The lower 

 joints of the hind limbs are moved by muscles which are 

 respectively connected with the stifle joint and gaskin, the 

 former, which extends down the front of the leg, being 

 responsible for the extension of the limb, and the latter, 

 which are situated at the back, for its contraction. 



Mustard is an invaluable thing to have at hand for use 

 in cases of emergency, as it forms an excellent counter- 

 irritant in cases of colic or sore throat. Equal parts of 

 mustard and linseed meal mixed in cold water make a good 

 poultice when the latter by itself may not be regarded 

 as quite strong enough. (See Linseed, Poultices.) 



Mute. — See Bardoi, Hiniiy, Hybrid, Jennet, Mule. 



2ig 



