THE THIGH. 257 



tlon of the haunch is characteristic of the thorough-bred horse ; and, by 

 the degree in which it is found, we judge as much as by anything 

 of the breeding of the animal. If the bones at D and E, p. 63, took 

 a somewhat arched form, as they do in the cart-horse, it is evident that 

 the' bone O must be more upright, the thigh-bone P would likewise be 

 more upright, the stifle Q would not be so far under the body, and the 

 power of tiie horse would be considerably impaired. The oblique direction 

 of the haunch and thigh-bones, produced by the straightness of the line of 

 the spine, does not, as is commonly supposed, afford increased surface for 

 the attachment of muscles, but places the muscles in a direction to act with 

 great advantage. It is in the advantageous direction, quite as much as in 

 the bulk of the muscle, that the strength of the horse consists. It will be 

 seen, from our cuts, that the angles formed by the fore and hind extre- 

 mities have different directions. One points forward, and the other back- 

 ward. We should expect this ; for thus the action of the fore-legs least 

 interferes with the chest, and that of the hind legs with the belly. 



Width of haunch is a point of great consequence, for that actually affords 

 more room for the attachment of muscles ; and even though it should be 

 so great as to subject the horse to the charge of being ragged-hipped, and 

 may somewhat offend the eye, it is no detriment to action. If the 

 loins be broad, and the horse be well ribbed home, the protuberances of 

 the ilium can scarcely be too far apart. Many a ragged-hipped horse has 

 possessed both fleetness and strength, but few which were narrow across 

 the haunch could boast of the latter quality. 



The opening through the centre of these bones, 'which constitutes the 

 passage through which the young animal is expelled from the mother, 

 is ktrge in the mare, and in every quadruped, because there cannot be, 

 from the form of the animal, any danger of abortion from the weight of 

 the foetus pressing on the part. 



The only parts of these bones exposed to injury or fracture are the 

 tuberosities or prominences of the haunch. A fall or blow may chip off and 

 disunite a portion of them. There are no means of forcibly bringing the dis- 

 united parts together, and retaining them in their natural position. Nature, 

 however, will cause them to unite, yet generally attended by deformity and 

 lameness. A charge, or very strong adhesive plaister, across the haunch 

 may be useful, as helping, in some slight degree, to support the parts, 

 and hold them together. 



THE THIGH. 



In the lower and fore part of the hip-bones is a deep cavity or cup for the 

 reception of the head of the upper bone of the thigh *. Although in the ac- 

 tion of the hind legs there cannot be the concussion to which the fore-legs 

 are exposed (for the weight of the body is never thrown violently upon 

 them), yet in the powerful action of these limbs there is much strain on the 

 joints,'and we shall find, therefore, that there are, in all of them, admirable 

 provisions against injury. The head of the upper bone of the thigh is re- 

 ceived into a deep cup (the acetabuhimy, by which it is surrounded on every 

 side, and dislocation from which would seem almost impossible. But the 



* Tliis, although the true thigh-bone, is so concealed by thick muscles, and seemingly 

 by the continuation of the carcass, that its situation and shape are not visible to the eye ; 

 and it is generally overlooked by horsemen, who call the next bone extending trom tne 

 stifle to the hock, the thigh: therefore, to render ourselves intelbgible, we terra this tne 

 upper bone of the thigh, « 



