164 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



should correspond always to the width of the flank, which, as we have 

 just stated, is not the case. 



A more exact relation then remains to be established : it is that this 

 width is the consequence of the depth of the chest first, and the length 

 of the lumbar region afterwards. The latter varies much less than is 

 generally believed in horses of the same size and race. It is quite 

 otherwise with the former. When speaking of the chest, we have seen 

 that the different depths of this cavity depend especially upon the 

 degree of backward projection of the ribs, supposing a constant length 

 of the back. The shortness of the flank indicates a deep chest, short 

 loins, and well-developed muscles ; it is in these features that its beauty 

 resides. All are in accord upon this point. Horse-dealers do not fail 

 to show, by placing two fingers flat upon the region, that the animal 

 has only two fingers' width of flank. 



It seems useless to detail the disadvantages of a contrary conforma- 

 tion. It is evident that too much area is a defect, indicating, at the 

 same time, the mobility and lack of solidity of the loins and the want 

 of capacity of. the chest. In this case the flank is said to be long. 



3d. Movements. Composed exclusively of soft structures, and 

 attached to the last rib, whose movements, normal or abnormal, it fol- 

 lows, the flank is indeed, as has been said, the true mirror of the thoracic 

 cavity. 



In ordinary conditions, when the horse is at rest, it rises and falls r 

 alternately recedes from and approaches the median line, as the air enters 

 the lungs or is expelled from them. During inspiration its cord is- 

 effaced, its hollow is depressed, its inferior part enlarges, descends, and 

 is confounded with the hypochondriac circle. During expiration, on 

 the contrary, its cord is quite apparent, its hollow is less deep, its- 

 movable part ascends, is retracted, and increases the prominence of the 

 false ribs. 



These movements should be executed regularly, slowly, without any 

 jerks, and should succeed each other at almost equal intervals. Let 

 us, however, notice a very correct observation of J. Girard, ignorance 

 of which might lead one into error : after six or seven equal respira- 

 tions a longer one occurs. 



The number of respiratory movements of the flank varies according 

 to the age, the seasons, and the physiological condition ; but its mean 

 may be estimated at twelve or fourteen to the minute. It increases with 

 exercise according to the duration, extent, rapidity, and intensity of the 

 efforts which the animal has been obliged to make. We have determined 

 it to be eighty-seven after a gallop of about half an hour. This number 



