■26 HOW T(1 JUDOE A HORSE. 



ns those of the thigh boue; the elbow joint is not 

 iu the same relation for the forward movement of 

 the fore leg as is the stifle joint for the hind leg, its 

 ■chief activity coming into play during the act of 

 pusliiiig forward. 



If wo look at the different bones and joints of the 

 Launches, we find that the thigh bone corresponds 

 ■with the shoulder-blade of the fore leg, the leg bone 

 ■with (he arm boue, etc. 



The shouhlcr-hhide lies parallel with ilie thigh bone 

 (Fig l", page 29, a and a), and their motions, iu ex- 

 tending the legs forward and iu pushing forward, are 

 ]>reciselyiu the same direction, though the shoulder- 

 blade is loss movable, different in form, and, at its 

 Djipor end, fastened only to muscles and not to a 

 socket like the thigh bone. But these are modifica- 

 tions brought about and justified through its cramped 

 bat otherwise safe position at the vault of the chest. 

 The verj- movnblo shoulder can never be compared 

 ■with the totally immovable haunch bones. These 

 latter enclose the internal and posterior cavity of the 

 rump in tlic shape of a firm bonj- ring, similar to 

 the ribs, enclosi'.ig the organs of the chest, a task 

 which tlio shoulder-blade has notbiug to do with. 

 This firm ring of bone could go iu close connection 

 •with the thigh bone; the movable and less resisting 

 libs could form a union with the uppermost boue of 



