EXTERIOR. 6 1 



the English horses, but these often have a finer fall under 

 the elbow, and the chest appears higher than it is broad 



Pulmonary power must be posteriorly sought above 

 the xiphoid region and the breadth limited by the ribs 

 which protect the base of the lungs. 



The stomach ( 1 1, fig. 31) extends from the xiphoid 

 region to the genital organs. It should not be too 

 voluminous (cow), nor too small and drawn-back (hare), 

 which occurs when the abdominal muscles become con- 

 tracted owing to disease or insufficient nutrition. 



The flank (12, fig. 32) is under the lumbars, and 

 touches the stomach, ribs and haunch ; it regularly 

 follows the phrases of respiration. The flank should be 

 neither tucked up nor hollow. It is called corded when 

 it possesses a muscular prominence joining the haunch to 

 the ribs. The posterior prolongation of the curvature 

 of these last ribs can considerably diminish it. Race- 

 horses present this conformation. 



The genital organs of the male are the scrotum or 

 tunics which envelop the testicles. The removal of these 

 latter causes a horse to be termed a gelding, that is, 

 emasculated. The penis Is contained in a sheath in which 

 it moves freely. In the female, the vulva is situated 

 immediately 1 under the anus, and the mammae are 

 appendances of the stomach, approximately at the height 

 of the stifle. 



in. — POSTERIOR. 



The croup (14, fig. 31) is between the loins and the 

 tail, situated in the superior portion of the body, domina- 

 ting the haunches, thighs and buttocks. For a saddle- 

 horse, it is desirable that it should be straight and 

 relatively long ; width is preferable for a beast of 

 burden, and especially for breeding mares. A long croup 

 diminishes the flanks and renders the loins thicker. 

 When it is straight the muscles of the buttock are longer ; 

 when thick it is often double, and the line of the vertebrae 

 will bury itself therein. If this line be prominent it 

 is termed sharp, and, in this case, has an inclination to the 

 side of the haunches and the point of the buttocks, it is 

 then said to be cut-off and low. 



