GO CYCLOPEDIA OF MVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



IX. The Hind Limbs. 



The bones of the limbs terminating and inclosed within the body of 

 the horse, as well as the whole of the front limbs have been carefully 

 illustrated and described. Many persons suppose, if they understand 

 something of the anatomy of one limb, that they understand them all. 

 This is a mistake, for while th,ere are points in common, there are many 

 differences. -Hence the necessity of illustrating every part fully in order 

 that the reader may get a full comprehension of every part. Further 

 on we give a cut showing the bones of the hock joint and portions of the 

 bones above and below. In the illustration, page 50, the anatomy of 

 the entire limb may be studied. 



Anatomy of the Hind Limbs. — The great bone of the thigh (femur) 

 which articulates with the upper bone (ilium), which in turn is joined to 

 the back, is very strong, stout and short for its bulk. It is also further 

 strengthened by large projections (trochanters), placed in the direction 

 of the length, or longitudinally, for the attachment of important mus- 

 cles. The upper extremity of the femur has a rounded head on the 

 inner side, fitting into, and articulating with, a homy cup (acetabulum) 

 formed at the junction of the three pelvic bones. At the lower end are 

 two prominences fitting into depressions in the true bone of the thigh 

 (the lower part of which is shown in the preceding illustration) and in 

 front of which is placed the knee cap (patella), making what is called 

 the stifle joint, which, anatomically, corresponds to the knee in man. 

 The thigh bone is made up of two parts, the tibia, or bone proper and a 

 small bono at the top (fibula), which reaches' down the bone for about 

 one-third its length. It is attached to the large bone by cartilage, and 

 corresponds to the small bone (ulna) in the shoulder of the horse. 

 The next illustration shows the bones of the hock. Figure 1, back view, 

 inner side ; figure 2, front view, outer side. 



Bones of the Hoclc. — ^The names of the bones of the Hock (Tarsus) 

 as shown in cut 11 are: a, Tibia; b, Os Calcis ; c, Astragalus; d, Cu- 

 noides ; e, Naviculare ;/, Outer Cuneiform ; h, Splint ; i, Cannon, (shank 

 bone.) 



The hock is as important as it is complicated. It corresponds to the 

 ankle and heel in man, and is a prime factor in the means of progression. 

 Like the knee of the horse, it consists of small bones, interposed between 

 the upper bone. Tibia, and the Cannon bone below. These are six in 

 number, ^ given above. The projecting bone at the back, the heel bone, 

 (Os Calcis), is moved by tendons arising from muscles in the lower 

 part of the limb. 



One of the Main Springs. — ^The principal one of these is the tendo* 

 Achillis. In all fast anixuals it is much developed, since an increase m 



