10^ THE HORSE. 



can leap well if he is deficient behind. Look, for ex- 

 ample, at the kangaroo, the hare, the greyhound, the 

 cat, and the tiger. Can any formation exceed their 

 hind-quarters in strength and leverage power ; and are 

 they not proverbial for theii' power of leaping and 

 running? As might be expected, theu* action is in 

 perfect accordance with their form. So is it also with 

 the horse. When supplied with good hind-quarters, 

 he can perform wonderful feats. It is well authenti- 

 cated that Vainhope took a leap measuring thirty-four 

 feet in width ; and we are informed by the celebrated 

 Nimrod, that "In 1821, Mr. Mytton's horse, 'The 

 Hero,' cleared timber seven feet in height, with a very 

 short run to it, in Mr. Jellico's grounds in Shropshire, 

 ^Hth IMr. Mytton on his back." Such performances 

 could not be accomplished without an adequate power 

 behind. 



If we wish to form a coiTCCt estimate of the develop- 

 ment of the hind-quarters, we must pay special atten- 

 tion to the length, shape, and position of the bones, as 

 weU as to the length, size, and du-ection of the muscles. 

 The bones constitute so many distinct levers ; whilst 

 the muscles are the powers by which these levers are 

 put in motion. When the bones are short and unfa- 

 vom-ably placed, the muscles cannot act upon them 

 with sufficient power, or to the best advantage. If 

 the muscles are long from theu* origin to their tennina- 



