POSTERIOR MEMBER. 243 



is prominent in a horse in good condition, which signifies an easy 

 rotation of the coxae on the posterior members. 



Width and Thickness. — The width of the thigh is measured 

 by a horizontal line which crosses it underneath the coxo-femoral artic- 

 ulation. Its thickness, on the contrary, is appreciated, from side to 

 side, either by viewing the animal from behind or obliquely from in 

 front. 



It is almost superfluous to dwell upon the importance of these two 

 dimensions, which show the muscular development of the region and, 

 consequently, the impulsive force of the hind extremities. A thigh 

 lacking sufficient thickness is designated as sharp ; when this deficiency 

 affects the whole thigh, and is accompanied, moreover, by a lack of 

 width, the thigh is styled /a<, lean, or is called a frog's thigh; among 

 horsemen the animal himself is known by the name froggy, by reason 

 of the striking weakness of his hind quarters. 



The beautiful muscularity of the thigh can be summarized in a 

 word : the animal is well rumped and strong-limbed ; his buttock is 

 well furnished ; his muscles are firm, dense, and elastic. 



PecuHar Markings. — The external surface of the thighs often 

 presents cauterization brands, practised for the purpose of dis- 

 tinguishing subjects, of recognizing their breed, and of testifying of 

 their purchase, or of any prizes they may have obtained. 



Up to a recent date, horses in the French army were marked upon the left 

 thigh as follows: with a grenade, if used by riflemen; a C, by the cuirassiers; a 

 D, by the dragoons ; an H, by the hussars ; an A, by the artillery ; a hunting- 

 horn, by the chasseurs ; a cross, by the lancers ; a T and an E, for the transpor- 

 tation horses, etc. This practice having sometimes occasioned extensive slough- 

 ing of the integument and disfigured the animals, these marks were subsequently 

 made upon the side of the neck, where they were more or less concealed by the 

 mane. Ultimately the accidents to the operators, the pain occasioned by the 

 branding, and the complications and the blemishes resulting therefrom led to 

 the adoption of a much wiser method, the marking of the hoof, which is alone 

 practised nowadays. 



Nevertheless, in spite of the numerous disadvantages of the hot- 

 iron brand, some large corporations have thought it advisable to pre- 

 serve it. The Paris General Omnibus Company's horses are all marked 

 with a number upon the left side of the neck ; those of the Paris 

 " Petites Voitures" (or light-stage) Company, on the contrary, are 

 marked on the hoof. There are cases in which one of the thighs 

 bears likewise peculiar markings. Sometimes we find a number, 

 sometimes a date, and at other times various letters, very often a P on 

 horses that have won prizes ; again, figures of a special form, as in 



