30 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



The muscles possess but a limited degree of sensibility. 

 When the flesh is cut by any sharp instrument, comparatively 

 little pain is experienced after the skin and membranes are 

 passed through. They are but seldom the seat of disease, 

 except such as proceeds from external injuries. Sometimes, 

 however, dreadful ulcers establish themselves within the 

 muscular tissues, which occasion great swelling, and dis- 

 charge immense quantities of matter. 



Among horse dealers it is a common remark, iu discussing 

 the qualities of a particular horse, that "he has muscle.'' 

 This, of course, refers not to the number of the muscles, but 

 to their size and power. One horse has as many muscles as 

 another. It is only in their quality — in their flexibility and 

 elasticity — that any difference can occur. Here, however, it 

 is very great; and hence one important reason for the ex- 

 tremes which are found in the market value of different ani- 

 mals. A horse's power depends much less upon the amount 

 of his muscle than upon its quality. The superior strength 

 and quickness of some horses are principally owing to their 

 muscular fibers being stronger, more elastic, and possessing 

 greater power of contraction than those of others.. 



Fattening an animal does not increase bis muscles or his 

 strength; nothing but the adipose, or fatty, matter is in- 

 creased. This gives to the parts a full and rounded appear- 

 ance, so much admired in the horse, and also covers up many 

 serious defects. The accumulation of fat, when excessive, 

 becomes a positive obstruction to muscular action. A full, 

 rounded form is not an evidence of fine qualities, nor lean- 

 * ness of a lack of them. The horse which is thin in flesh, but 



in good health and well fed, possesses more muscular power 

 and action, and especially greater endurance, than one very 

 fat. Besides this, the latter is much more liable to disease. 

 While these are facts known to every horseman, it is equally 

 ■^., true, however, that a certain amount of adipose matter, with 



regular and proper exercise, is essential to the possession of 

 the highest degree of vital energy and strength. 



The fat of the horse's system has less to do with the mus- 



