^FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 93 



The centre of gravity being displaced further forward when 

 the horse is in motion, still greater weight is thrown on 

 the forelegs, the hindlegs serving as propellers. The 

 articulation of the thigh directly with the pelvis conveys the 

 propulsive effort throughout the entire length of the spinal 

 column. The supportive action of the forelegs meets the 

 propulsive action of the hindlegs in such a way as to restore 

 the equilibrium of the body. 



The joints of the leg are hinge joints, capable of motion 

 in two directions only, flexion and extension, while the joints 

 of the hip and shoulder, points at which the legs articulate 

 with the body, are ball-and-socket joints, which permit of a 

 rotary motion. The legs, generally speaking, are therefore 

 capable of alternate flexion and extension, which takes place 

 in the order named, although the flexion of the leg as a whole 

 may involve the extension of some one joint, as in the case 

 of the shoulder at the commencement of flexion of the leg. 



Relation of Bone and Muscular Development. In accordance 

 with the use of the horse, it is necessary to understand the 

 relation of the bones and muscles, especially in determining 

 normal value, quality of structure, and the amount of natural 

 muscular development. In passing judgment on a horse, 

 the general shape of the bony framework and its correlation 

 with the muscles should be kept in mind, as it will be helpful 



EXPLANATION OF FIG. 16. 



1 Mouth. 15 Withers. 29 Loin. 



2 Nostrils. 16 Shoulder bed. 30 Hip bone. 



3 Nose. 17 Breast. 31 Coupling. 



4 Face. 18 Shoulder. 32 Ribs. 



5 Eye. 19 Forearm. 33 Belly or underline. 



6 Forehead. 20 Knees. 34 Hindflank. 



7 Ears. 21 Canons. 35 Stifle. 



8 Poll. 22 Fetlock joints. 36 Thigh. 



9 Throat-latch. 23 Pasterns. 37 Buttocks. 



10 Jaw. 24 Feet. 38 Croup. 



11 Chin. 25 Feather. 39 Tail. 



12 Windpipe. 25^ Elbow. 40 Quarters. 



13 Neck. 26 Flank. 41 Gaskin or lower 



14 Crest. 27 Heart girth. thigh. 



28 Back. 42 Hocks. 



