62 THE HORSE. 



The ilium is the anterior portion of the coxa, resting 

 upon the sacrum by its internal angle indicative of a pro- 

 minent tuberosity. Its external angle constitutes the 

 haunch. The ischium^ or posterior angle, terminates the 

 croup ; this is the limitation termed the point of the 

 buttocks (F, fig. 31). 



A short croup affords little extension to movements, 

 and has a contracted appearance. Usually, the croup 

 presents a gentle inclination from its culminating point 

 (the internal tuberosity of the ilium) to the buttock. The 

 tail (Q, fig. 31), is next to the croup, and covers the 

 coccygeal bones. The attachment, the stump, and the 

 hairs all obtain attention. With Oriental horses, who 

 often have the croup straight, the attachment of the tail 

 is high, the stump horizontal and quite distinct, the 

 hairs fine and pendant like a plume ; in a word, a tail 

 of trumpet form, a handsome bushy flowing tail, which 

 it is sometimes necessary to cut at the height of the 

 fetlock. 



A tail which offers resistance when a man lifts it up or 

 draws it towards him, is a sign of vigour. This orna- 

 ment of the horse has not met with much respect, and 

 has had to submit to the exigencies of fashion. For 

 example, amputation has been practised close to the 

 stump, making the tail like a broom, or short, cropped or 

 docked. 



The tail said to be docked in the English style consists 

 of an excision with the loss of the substance of the 

 depressor muscles. 



Nicking, a French operation, is merely an incision 

 without loss of substance. 



Common horses, with sunken croup, have their tails 

 low and adhering to the buttocks. 



Why, in former times, was not the luxury of an 

 entire tail preserved to the horse, constituting as it 

 does, not only an ornament, but in summer a most useful 

 fly-flap ? The reason was that in winter, at the epoch 

 when equestrian travel was the ordinary mode of 

 locomotion, it was a source of considerable discomfort 

 to the rider. In fact, the long tail absorbed the rain 

 and became burdened with the mud of the road, which 

 by its perpetual alternate motion, was thrown in every 



