SOUND AND UNSOUND HORSES 



THE CROUP AND HAUNCHES. 



The croup comprises the region lying 

 between the loins in front, and tail 

 behind, laterahy by the thighs and but- 

 tocks. The haunches blend with the 

 croup, at the sides, and the angles of the 

 former form the prominences so dis- 

 tinctly visible from behind. 



A long croup is desirable, whilst a wide 

 croup is greatly to be desired, especially 

 in brood mares. Narrowness of croup 

 is specially objectionable, not only in a 

 brood mare, but in all classes of horses. 



In roadsters, a horizontal croup is 

 preferable, but in heavy breeds, slight 

 obliquity is needful. 



If the croup is too oblique, it causes 

 forward deviation of the hind limbs. 

 This is objectionable. 



In pregnant mares, the muscles of the 

 croup sink during the latter period of 

 gestation, due to relaxation of the sacro- 

 ischiatic ligaments. 



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