122 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



Diseases and Blemishes. Various lesions resulting from a defective 

 pattern or vicious application of the harness or the saddle are sometimes observed 

 in this region. Such are denudations, excoriations, bruises, corns, cysts, abscesses, 

 and fistulse which exist on the median line, or the lateral parts. Their gravity 

 varies according to position and the anatomical structures of the parts involved. 

 Cure is difficult in proportion to their closeness to the median line. Benign 

 as they may appear at the beginning, there is always danger of complications 

 which may prevent the animal from working for several months. The presence 

 of cicatrices or of white hairs are the indelible evidences which follow lesions 

 of this nature. Finally, we sometimes find the marks of blisters or of the 

 actual cautery, which will indicate that the animal has been treated for some one 

 of these diseases. 



D. The Loins. 



Situation ; Limits ; Anatomical Base. This symmetrical region, situ- 

 ated behind the back and in front of the croup and the haunches, and limited on 

 each side by the flank, has for its base the six lumbar vertebrae (sometimes only 

 five), whose costiform processes continue posteriorly the costo-vertebral gutter. 

 This gutter is covered by the transverse spinous and the ilio-spinalis muscles,, 

 the anterior extremity of the gluteal muscle, and the aponeurosis of the great 

 dorsal muscle. 



We will examine this region as to its length, width, form, direction^ 

 and attachments. 



Width. The width of the loins is directly proportional to the 

 development of the costiform apophyses of the lumbar vertebrae, and 

 corresponds in some degree with that of the muscles named above. A 

 wide loin is regarded as a feature of absolute beauty. 



Length. Whatever may be the work the animal is destined to 

 perform, the loins should be as short as possible, a condition of solidity 

 important to recognize, because the lumbar vertebrae have no support 

 laterally, being simply articulated the one with the other. Its short- 

 ness also favors the transmission of the impetus given by the posterior 

 limbs, because it lessens the elasticity and mobility of the structures 

 through which the force of impulsion must pass. As to the relation of 

 the entire length of the dorso-lumbar region, the back should be long 

 and the loins short, especially in saddle- and pack-horses. This point 

 cannot be impressed too strongly. 



Form. As in the back, the form of the loins is dependent mainly 

 upon that of the muscles. The median line is indicated by a crest or a 

 gutter. In the former case, they are single, and should be well muscled ; 

 in the latter, they are double. When the crest is very high, the loins are 

 called sharp, which is a sign of weakness and feeble resistance. 



Direction. As to their direction, the loins are usually straight,. 

 and their convexity is observed only in old horses, or in those abused 



