MUSCLES OF OUTSIDE OF THE THIGH 209 



horse, when the observer stands behind him, should 

 be perceptibly wider at the thighs than at the loins 

 and haunch. 



e. The root of the tail, with its muscles. 



f. This is the tendinous expansion which binds and 



strengthens the above muscles. 

 g. Is the, flexor metatarsi^ or muscle used to bend the hocks, 

 or bender of the leg. It arises from the lower part of 

 the upper bone of the thigh, and is inserted into the 

 upper portion of the shank bone, and also the inner 

 splint bone. It is a muscle of considerable power. 

 //. The extensor pedis. It is situated on the anterior part 

 of the thigh, and is attached to a roughened de- 

 pression upon the antero-inferior part of the external 

 condyle of the femoral bone, and below to the 

 coronal process of the os pedis ^ and to the upper edge 

 of the bone in the interval between the lateral 

 cartilages. Its office is the extension of the foot, as 

 well as the fetlock and pastern joints. 

 i. This letter is placed at the situation occupied by the 

 principal nerves before they pass under the muscle. 

 They take a direction nearly in a line with the 

 letter c. 

 /, p. The popUtceiis or femoro-tibialis ohliqinis, a short, thick, 

 triangular muscle, extending from the upper to the 

 lower thigh bones, bending the stifle, and turning the 

 limb inward. 

 k. The use of this muscle is to extend the hock. It is an 

 exceedingly powerful muscle, having its origin in the 

 head of the upper bone of the thigh, and, midway 

 down the lower bone of the thigh, ending in a flat 

 tendon, which is inserted into the joint of the hock. 

 It is advantageously placed for powerful exertion, for 

 it acts nearly at right angles. 

 m^ n. The peronceiis^ which is another of the extensor muscles, 

 and so called from a name given to the fibula. It 

 arises from the whole course of the fibula, and also 

 becomes tendinous before reaching the hock. About 

 half-way down the shank, it occupies the same 

 sheath as the principal extensor muscle, and is 

 inserted along with it into the coffin bone. The 



O 



