THE HAUNCH OR RUMP. 103 



tion, their contraction must be proportionally great. 

 On this depends the extent of the spring or stride. 

 Hence, length in every part of the hind-qnarters where 

 muscles are located, is of infinite importance. 



THE HAUNCH, OR RUMP, 



should not be either extremely naiTow or extremely 

 broad. If it is very naiTow, there will be a gi*eat want 

 of power ; and if it is too broad in proportion to the 

 rest of the frame, there will be much more force than 

 what is required, or can be borne by the remainder of 

 the machine, and the horse consequently is can-png 

 useless lumber. The haunch-bones should project a 

 little at each side of the flank, but not to such an ex- 

 tent as to make the horse ragged-hipped. When the 

 vertebrae, at the kidneys, extend outwards on each side 

 as far as they ought to do, this is not likely to occur. 

 Great strength in this locality is absolutely necessary in 

 every description of horse. 



The bones of the haunch, which extend from the 

 kidneys to the point of the hips, can hardly be too 

 long. This ought to be specially looked after in horses 

 intended for fast work. If they are short here, they 

 will be equally short in their stride. On a side 

 view, the top of the rump should present a moderately 

 arched form from the kidneys to the setting on of the 

 tail. This is a point of some utility and of great 



