672 THE THIGH. 



Width of haunch is a point of great consequence, for it evi 

 dently affords more room for the attachment of muscles ; and 

 even th)Ugh it should be so wide as to subject the horse to the 

 charge of being ragged-hipped, and may somewhat offend the 

 eye, it will not often be any detriment to action. If the loins 

 <ire broad and the horse well ribbed home, the protuberances of 

 the hip-bones can scarcely be too far apart. Many a ragged- 

 hipped horse has possessed both fleetness and strength, while but 

 few that were narrow across the haunch could boast of the latter 

 quahty. 



The only portion of these bones exposed to injury or fracture 

 are the prominences of the haunch. A fall or blow may chip off 

 or disunite a portion of them, and, if so, there are no means of 

 Ibrcibly bringing the disunited parts together again, and retain- 

 ing them in their natural position. The power of nature, how- 

 ever, will gradually unite them, but that union wiU be at- 

 tended by deformity and lameness. . A charge, or very strong 

 adhesive plaster, across the haunch may be useful, as helping, in 

 some slight degree, to support the parts, and hold them together. 

 [See " charge" in list of medicines.] 



THE THIGH. 



In. the lower and fore part of the hip-bones is a deep cavity or 

 cup to receive the head of the thigh-bone. The thigh-bone is 

 both the largest and strongest in the frame. Its lower extremity is 

 complicated in its forra. It consists of two prominences, whicTi are 

 received into corresponding depressions in the next bone, and a 

 hollow in front, in which the bone of the .knee or stifle plays as 

 over a perfect pully. 



The muscles of the hinder extremity are more powerful than those 

 in any other part of the frame, and they are covered by a strong 

 tendinous coat or membrane, intended to confine them in their 

 places. Another, thicker and firmer, Ues below, and is intended 

 to tighten and strengthen the first. It is represented at a ui 

 Fig. 42, raised and turned back. For practical purposes, and 

 therefore for the purposes of this abridgment, the names of the 

 muscles of the hinder parts — ^to identify the localities of injuries 

 and diseases — ^is aU that is necessary, and is all therefore that will 

 oe given. 



