64 THE HORSE. 



Animals with a tendency to be under themselves 

 behind possess the limit line of the buttock presenting 

 the peculiarity. 



The artists who draw horses often cause the inter- 

 section of the muscles of the buttock with the leg to fall 

 over much, which obliges them to exaggerate the extent 

 of the stifle as well as the length of the fascia lata. 



Avoidance of such self-deception can be attained 

 by the consideration that, in profile, the limitation of the 

 curve mentioned — its point of contact with the calcanean 

 cord — is approximately at the same height as the inser- 

 tion of the fascia lata under the crest of the tibia. 



Another check which may be indicated is the com- 

 parison of the posterior with the anterior, being aware 

 that the stifle or patella is at the same distance from the 

 ground as the point of the elbow when the horse is in 

 exact stationary position. Thence, it is easy to take into 

 account the inferior limitation of the buttock, stopping 

 rather above the articulation of the femur and tibia. It 

 will be found at approximately the same distance from the 

 ground as the sternum, situated some centimeters lower 

 than the point of the elbow {oleocranium). 



The thigh (17, fig. 31) is generally confused with the 

 buttock, in front of which it is situated in succession to 

 the flank, above the leg, having the femur for base. Its 

 articulation in the cotyloid cavity imparts motion to this 

 portion of the member, rather in the sense of the length 

 of the animal than otherwise. The muscles of the thigh 

 should be long, prominent, and firm. The internal 

 portion or flat of the thigh presents a more united surface. 



The stifle (18, fig. 31) is below the thigh, in the 

 superior anterior portion of the leg. It covers the 

 patella, and corresponds with the human knee. It is 

 important to indicate its fold, the cushion uniting the 

 posterior member to the stomach. 



The muscles attached to the patella, being of con- 

 siderable importance in the extension of the leg, trans- 

 mitted by the femur, impart to the stifle, which is the 

 consequence, a rounded and absolutely limited form, 

 which it is necessary to exactly locate ; it is the prolonga- 

 tion of the femoral radius, which, to be satisfactory, 

 should be long and at 45 . It has been previously 



