HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 159 



Exmoor breed of ponies — might have indicated " a descent of 



all the existing races from a single dun-colored, more or less 



striped primitive stock, to which our horses occasionally 



revert." 



Liverpool Slide. A coach or carriage bit the bar of 



Mdiich slides or plays within the guards. 



If the checkrein be used on a bit with the Livei-pool slide, the slide can- 

 not act, lor tlie c-lieek is supposed to be always on the strain, and 

 tliis would keep the bit always tij>ht up against the corners of the 

 mouth. The check, therefore, should never be used on this bit if 

 the slide is intended to operate. — The liridle liits, Col. J. C. 

 Battersby. 



Loaded Boots; Leaded Boots. Quarter boots or 

 ankle boots having a pocket on the inside for weight — usually 

 small pieces of sheet lead. In some styles the boots are pro- 

 vided with a series of two or more rings into which shot is 

 placed, the shot being kept in position by means of cotton 

 wool, in order to distribute it evenly around the boot, and to 

 keep it flexible. Generally used in place of toe and side 

 weights, or weighted shoes. 



Locomotion. The expenditure of animal force in the 

 act of progression ; bodily movement. 



The points of attachment between the active principles of locomotion, 

 the muscles, and the passive principles, the bones, appear in the 

 form of sometimes an' eminence, sometimes a depression, some- 

 times a border or an angle, or, again, as a mere rouglmess, but each 

 perfectly fulfilling its x^urpose, while the necessary motion is pro- 

 vided for by the formation of the ends of the long bones into the 

 requisite articulations, joints or hinges. Every motion is the pro- 

 duct of the contraction of one or more of the muscles, which, as it 

 acts upon the bony levers, gives rise to a movement of extension or 

 flexion, abduction or adduction, rotation or circumduction. The 

 movement of abduction is that whicn passes from, and that of 

 adduction that which passes towards the median line, or the center 

 of the body. — Dr. A. Liautard, Principal American Veterinary 

 College. 



Length of muscular fibers and acute angles of the levers on which they 

 act, give sweep of limb, and strength depends iipon the niimber of 

 them, and the effective power of both depends upon the will or 

 courage ; but all these qualities would be vain if the motions of the 

 extremities were not so co-ordinated that their functions should be 

 performed Avithout interference one with another. Though diffi- 

 cult of demonstration, it may be taken for granted that, at full 

 speed, the adduction and abduction of all the muscles in action 

 counterbalance each otlier; if they did not, either the feet would 

 interfere, or they could not be brought to support the center of 

 gravity, and in either case the animal might fall. But the Master 

 Mechanic, in forming the anatomy of the horse, attaclied great 

 Importance to using every available means to enable the fore foot 

 to reach the ground as far in advance as possible, that no time 

 might be lost in giving sxipport to the center of gravity.— The Horse 

 in Motion, J. D. B. Stillman. 



Loins. That portion of the spinal column which is 

 devoid of ribs, and which is in front of the highest point of 

 the pelvis. They are i3laced between the back and croup at 

 the front and rear, with the flanks at each side. 



