162 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



In a general way, the chest is or is not spacious, the harmony of the 

 whole implying only that an increase in one direction is ordinai'ily 

 followed by an augmentation in the others. 



It is from this point of view, especially, that animals differ in regard 

 to their thoracic capacity. 



Exceptions are always found. Certain horses are deficient in one or 

 another of the diameters, most often in the width. 



In such cases compensations are possible, but within a very small 

 limit. They are always very rare and very dijicult to estimate. 



We must not, then, allow ourselves to be misled by appearances ; we 



should form our judgment on a complete examination of the respiratory 



apparatus. 



B.— The Flank. 



Situation ; Limits ; Anatomical Base. — The flank is a double 

 region, situated behind the ribs, in front of the haunch, the thigh, and 

 the stifle-joint, below the loins, and above the abdomen, with which it 

 is continuous. Its principal base is the small oblique muscle of the 

 abdomen, with a portion of the great oblique and the transverse. 



Divisions. — Three divisions are recognized, more or less distinct 

 according to the individuals and the conditions in which they are 

 placed ; the names which have been given to them indicate quite accu- 

 rately the special configuration which they present. 



The first, external to the lumbar region and in front of the haunch, 

 is called the hollow of the flank, because it presents a depression so much 

 more distinct as the intestinal mass is lieavy and farther removed from 

 it. It is very pronounced in horses with a pendidous or cow's abdomen. 



The second division, or cord of the flank, corresponds especially to 

 the fleshy part of the small oblique muscle of the abdomen. It forms 

 a rounded relief, oblique, downward and forward, which extends from 

 the angle of the haunch to the cartilaginous circle of the false ribs. 



Finally, the third division, the most inferior of all, known by the 

 name of the movable portion of the flank, is united to the stifle-joint 

 by a very mobile cutaneous fold, and becomes insensibly continuous 

 with the abdomen. 



Three things are to be examined in this region : its form, its extent, 

 and its movements. 



1st. Form. — When the flank is well formed, its hollow is but 

 little observed, its cord is scarcely prominent, and its movable part 

 continues regularly with the external surface of the abdomen and the 

 last ribs. A flank of this description is seen in animals that are well 

 fed and in a proper state of flesh. 



