18 PECULIARITIES OF 



extends from the chest to the termination of the loins 

 by distinct fleshy fibres — the viscera are forced back- 

 wards, and inspiration is performed. The muscles of 

 the abdomen then contract, and converging the ribs, 

 push back the diaphragm, and expel the inspired air 

 from the lungs. It will now be understood that jockeys 

 and trainers dislike what they term ( a spare rib,' with 

 some reason; as it shows a want of development of 

 muscles which act on the respiratory organs, and con- 

 sequently any deficiency here must gradually exhibit in- 

 ability to perform extraordinary exertions satisfactorily. 



The huge muscle along the dorsal vertebras or back- 

 bone (latissimus dorsi), which is generally so conspicu- 

 ous in the Touchstones and some of the Birdcatchers, is 

 of importance, inasmuch as it is connected with the 

 muscles of the loins, &c, bracing all the muscles of the 

 back, as well as aiding in working the humerus. The 

 proper formation of the loins is great width. The 

 muscles of the loins being spread over the hind quarters 

 are necessarily of the utmost importance ; more especi- 

 ally in carrying weights, going uphill, or indeed in 

 performing any extraordinary exertion. We must 

 conclude, therefore, that a racehorse cannot be cursed 

 with a worse defect than a want of sufficient muscular 

 development in the back, and I think that living horses 

 bear me out in this opinion ; the two best-backed race- 

 horses of these days having been the best performers 

 — St. Alban's and Saunterer. 



A roach-backed horse I hate most cordially, notwith- 

 standing that some assert that it is a sure sign of 

 strength. 



