THE BODY AND LIMBS. 33 



giving width to the loins, and seeming by their enlarge- 

 ment, as it were, to swallow the baek-bone. When the 

 protuberances of the haunch-bone are very prominent, the 

 horse is called ragged hipped, which is only injurious to 

 the appearance, except in cases where it seems to arise 

 from a paucity of muscle to fill up the intervening spaces. 

 From the loins to the setting on of the tail, the line should 

 be long and very slightly rounded ; bv which means, also, 

 the distance between the hip and the point of the buttock 

 will be considerable. This formation is pecuhar to the 

 improved or blood breed, and in every point of view appears 

 the most perfect ; for it affords a very increased surface for 

 the insertion of the most active and powerful muscles in 

 the horse. And though the large rounded buttocks of the 

 cart-horse would at first sight bespeak superior strength ; 

 yet, when he comes to be viewed attentively, it will be 

 found that the rounding of the sacral line or croup, the 

 low setting on of the tail, and the small space between the 

 hip and buttock, produce a decreased extent of surface, 

 compared with the broad croup, wide haunches, and deep- 

 spread thighs of the blood-horse. 



The flank is the space between the ribs and the haunches, 

 which part, when too extensive, indicates, except in mares^ 

 great weakness in the loins, and too great length in the 

 back. A hollow flank is the consequence of shortness in 

 the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebra^ which 

 occasions a want of room for the attachment of the large 

 muscles of the loins. When the flank rises and falls in 

 respiration quicker than ordinary, particularly if the horse 

 be at rest, it betokens either present fever or defective 

 lungs. Should it arise from present fever other symptoms 

 will also be apparent, as heat, dulness, and disinclination 

 to feed : but when the horse appears otherwise in health, 

 and yet heaves at the flanks more than natural, particularly 

 if the weather be moderate, and the stable not hot, it is 

 probable that such a horse is thick winded. If the inspira- 

 tion of the air appear to be performed readily, but the 

 expiration with difficulty,— and the flank, in expelling it 

 seems to be much exerted, or as it were at two efforts, 

 such a horse is broken winded. His cough, which should 

 then be tried, will be found hollow, hard, and, as it is 



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