234 • THE HIND LIMB. 



the croup (see PL 38), is due to the large development of the 

 inner angle of the pelvis (at each side), and points to the 

 presence, in the part, of strong muscles. St. Gatien, I may 

 mention, had this prominence well marked. 



Thigh and Stifle. — The muscles of the thigh should be 

 well developed, so that, when viewed from the rear, they 

 should leave no unsightly cavity between the legs. For 

 speed, the thighf should be comparatively short [see p. 162), 

 and will then give the stifle the appearance of being placed 

 high up on thej flank'; {see p. 163). The stifle should be 

 directed well outwards, so that it will have no difficulty in 

 clearing the abdomen, which the peculiar construction of the 

 hock joint that is explained on p. 70, enables it to do. It 

 seems probable that the fact of some " cow-hocked " (hocks 

 turned in, see p. 235) horses being able to show an unexpected 

 turn of speed, is frequently due to this kind of conformation 

 conferring on them -increased ability to bring their hind feet 

 well forward. 



Tibia. — Under this term, I wish to include the muscles 

 and tendons between the stifle and point of the hock, with 

 their coverings, as:well as the tibia {see Fig. 3), which, I may 

 repeat, is the bone that lies between the stifle and hock 

 joint. For speed, the tibia should have a maximum of length 

 {see p. 162). This is particularly the case in the hare. 



The Gaskin is one of the most important points by which 

 we may judge of the suitability of a horse for fast work ; for 

 I venture to assert after a long and careful study of the 

 subject, that it is impossible for a horse to have a really fine 

 turn of speed, unless he has broad gaskins. I may point 



