NICKING 301 



has eighteen dorsal vertebrae, or bones of the back 

 or spine, extending from 'figs. 14 to 14; besides five 

 lumbar in some subjects, and in others six, fig. 15, 

 there is a continuation of these called the sacrum, 

 which consist of five bones, which are separate in 

 the colt, but which become consolidated in the adult 

 animal. To the sacrum the bones of the upper and 

 side portion of the haunch, or pelvis, are strongly- 

 articulated, so much so that they resemble a solid 

 mass rather than a joint. From the lower or outer 

 extremity of the sacrum, the bones of the tail emanate ; 

 these are fifteen in number, extending from figs. 16 

 to 16, and gradually diminishing in size towards the 

 point. The spinal-marrow extends to the extreme 

 tip, as well as the continuation of the arteries of the 

 sacrum. The setting on of the tail and its particular 

 character and curvature from the loins is much looked 

 to by those who are judges of horses, as from this 

 they discover the purity or impurity of the breed. 

 The line from the setting on of the tail ought to be 

 almost straight, or with a slight inclination down- 

 wards, as there is no surer test of a high-bred horse 

 than this character of tail. 



The tail has three sets of muscles, the one for 

 raising it, Plate vii, fig, i, e, and another immediately 

 below for depressing it, and a third for giving it 

 lateral motion in every direction. When the animal 

 is at rest, the power of the lateral set of muscles 

 seems to predominate, as the tail is constantly 

 inclined downwards, resting upon the buttocks ; but 

 when energised the tail is carried higher, which gives 

 that spirited character to him when excited. It was 

 to convey this expression constantly that the operation 

 of nicking was devised ; therefore the depressor and 

 part of the lateral muscles are nicked through to a 



