204 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



sides of the withers. Its base is turned upwards, and 

 its right side forwards in a parallel line with the spine 

 of the scapula or shoulder-blade. It occupies the space 

 between the withers and upper part of the scapula, and 

 is large and strong in proportion to the height of the 

 withers, and the oblique direction or slanting of the 

 shoulder. Its use is to elevate the scapula, as well as to 

 draw it backward. This muscle is one of the most im- 

 portant as connected with the action of the horse, and 

 prominently illustrative of the advantage of high withers 

 and a slanting shoulder. We have represented a portion 

 of it turned back to exhibit the muscles beneath. 



g. Is the little pectoral or breast-muscle ; it is connected 

 with both the breast and shoulder-blade. It takes its 

 rise from the breast-bone, and extends to the covering 

 of the shoulder-joint and to the muscle of the shoulder. 

 It lies below the greater breast-muscle. Inwardly it 

 is attached to the anterior half of the breast-bone, and 

 to the cartilages of the first four ribs. Its action is 

 common with that of the larger breast-muscle {pector- 

 alts major)^ and to assist it in drawing back the top of 

 the lower bone of the shoulder and the lower part of 

 the scapula, as well as to keep the latter bone more 

 upright in its position. 



/'. The antea spinahts muscle, or muscle before the spine, is 

 placed on the external part of the shoulder, before the 

 ridge of the shoulder-blade, and fills the whole of that 

 space. It proceeds downwards, dividing into two parts, 

 each of which is attached to the summits of the greater 

 and lesser tubercles of the humerus, or bone of the arm, 

 and also to the capsular ligament of the shoulder-joint. 

 It is a muscle of great strength, and extends the arm 

 or humerus upon the scapula, and moves it forward. 

 See the description at b. 



k. The postea spinatits muscle, situated behind the spine or 

 ridge, and occupying the space called the fossa postea 

 spinata. It extends to the lower bone of the shoulder, 

 and is inserted into the upper head of that bone. It is 

 of a triangular form, and is flattened, and broader, but 

 not so thick in substance as the antea spinatus muscle. 

 It assists the flection of the humerus, and at the same 

 time rolls it outwards. This is the tendon of the long 



