THE BODY AND LIMBS. 35 



the thigh alone. The greyhound offers us also a corrobo- 

 rative instance of a similar form and intention. 



The real thigh of the horse, like the true arm, is so con- 

 cealed by muscles, as not generally to be known by that 

 name ; but a view of the skeleton will readily point out 

 its true position. It will be found, as has been noticed, 

 reversed in its angle of inclination to that of the real arm, 

 to which it corresponds, but descending downward lower, 

 also with a greater inclination, by which elasticity is 

 gained, and the acuteness of the angle resulting there- 

 from rendered greatly favourable to the power of action. 

 This bone being able to pass beyond the perpendicular 

 backward, also assists these intentions, particularly when 

 the croup, hips, and thighs, are well furnished with muscle 



The whirl-hone, among jockeys, is the articulation of the 

 thigh-bone with the pelvis, or bone of the haunch : it is a 

 very strong joint, and but rarely dislocated. 



The stijie corresponds to the knee of the human being ; 

 consequently the part below it (with reference to human 

 anatomy) ought to be called the leg, but is usually known 

 by the name of the thigh. For the reasons before mentioned, 

 the true leg of the horse should be strong and muscular ; 

 it should likewise make a considerable angle with the thigh, 

 forming a direct line under the hip or haunch. Its length, 

 as is seen in all animals destined for much speed, should 

 be considerable, and its supply of muscle great : whenever 

 that portion of limb between the stifle and hock is thin, 

 seemingly long, and but indifferently furnished with muscles, 

 that limb cannot be strong. 



The hock, as it is called by horsemen, forms the joint 

 between the true leg and the canon, and may be considered 

 as one of the most complex and important joints of the 

 body : its figure should be broad and wide ; for, in propor- 

 tion as the point of the hock extends itself beyond the 

 other bones, thereby increasing the depth of the joint, so 

 the tendons inserted into it act with a longer lever, and 

 thus with a great increase of power. 



This joint is subject to several diseases, which are pre- 

 judicial in different degrees, and therefore require different 

 degrees of attention. When, on examining a horse, a soft 



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