OUTLINE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE 33 



THE TENDONS. 



Of these there are a great many, but the limits of our work 

 will not permit us, any more than in the case of the muscles, 

 even to classify them, nor to make any further mention of 

 them than simply as they come within the scope of our pur- 

 pose — the history and treatment of the diseases of the horse. 

 All of the muscles end in tendons, and by these are attached, 

 by means of cartilages, to the bones at the joints. To bor- 

 row a figure from mechanics, the bones may be considered 

 the pulleys, the tendons the ropes, and the muscles the power 

 pulling at the end of the ropes. Though, in general, non- 

 elastic, the tendons possess great hardness and toughness, 

 and serve an important purpose in the animal economy. 

 Every joint, of course, is provided with them, since it is only 

 by their assistance that motion is obtained at all.' They are 

 liable to diseases of various kinds, and are the seat of that 

 dreadful complaint, rheumatism. 



It is in two important tendons of the horse's system that 

 fistula and poll evil, those terrible enemies of the equine 

 race, always intrench themselves. The description of one 

 of these tendons will be that of both, since they difier only 

 as regards location. The large one is situated at the top 

 of the shoulder. It is composed of fibers of a remarkable 

 texture and peculiar whiteness, possessing, in addition to the 

 great strength belonging to the tend6ns in general, a sur- 

 prising degree of elasticity. It is the serratus major of anat- 

 omists, (literally, great saw-shaped,) but is popularly known 

 as the white-leather or whit-leather. Extending underneath 

 the top of the shoulder-blade for a considerable distance, it 

 appears to serve the purpose of a pad for the blade to press 

 against, by which means the ribs are protected from injury. 

 It is attached to the chest in front, and to the smooth, in- 

 ternal surface of the blade, and, being strengthened by the 

 muscles, it is of the utmost service in supporting the weight 

 of the body and sustaining the severe shocks of the most 

 daring leap and the most rapid motion. From the upper 

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