POSTERIOR EXTREMITY. 



171 



(Fig. 45). The tail is then more easily turned up, it soils the rider 

 less, and is much less liable to cateh the reins, an accident often serious 

 on account of the energetic kicking which it at times provokes. 



As soon as the stump has been shortened, it is plain that a certain 

 number of hairs are wanting ; the horse can no longer be described as 

 having a full tail. Special designations have been 

 employed which recall the particular disposition of the 

 hair upon the horse's tail. 



When, for example, after amputation practised 

 upon the stump, the remaining hairs preserve their 

 entire length, the tail is like a broom (Fig. 46), on 

 account of the aspect it presents ; inferiorly it termi- 

 nates in a tapering point, like a paint-brush, as in 

 horses with full mane and tail. When it is too long, 

 it is sometimes shortened with the knife, but its form 

 is preserved. It is usually allowed to have its full 

 length in draught-horses. 



If, after the amputation of a portion of the stump, 

 the hairs are cut transversely at the level of the fold 

 of the buttock, or slightly below, the tail, still quite 

 long, is called banged. Such is the custom adopted in the army, and 

 in horses performing light work, coach-horses, etc. 



At present it is becoming more and more fashionable to have the 

 tail very short in certain horses kept for pleasure, principally Irish 

 cobs, race-horses, and ponies. It then scarcely extends beyond the 

 point of the buttocks. 



Three principal forms are given to the tail by the manner in which 

 the hairs are cut ; besides, it has not the same aspect on the animal 



FIG. 46. 



FIG. 47. 



when at rest as when at work, in profile as behind, as is shown by the 

 figures. It is called a short tail when the hairs have been cut off per- 

 pendicularly to the stump and close to the latter (Fig. 47). 



