26 Veterinarg Elements. 



surface of the pelvis in front of the hip joint, the thigh, 

 stifle and lower thigh also flex the hip. Some of these 

 muscles also draw the hind limbs outward (abduct) some 

 inwards (adduct). 



The stifle is extended by one muscle (rectus femoris) 

 which has its origin on the under surface of the pelvis 

 just in front of the hip joint, its insertion being to the 

 stifle. This muscle also flexes the hip. The stifle is 

 flexed chiefly by a muscle (biceps rotator tibialis) 

 attached to the pelvis behind the hip joint and to the 

 lower thigh (tibia) or gaskin. 



The hock joint is straightened (extended) by the mus- 

 cles of the gaskin (gastrocnemii) which have their origin 

 on the lower part of the thigh bone, one has its insertion 

 to the point of the hock, the other to the bones of the 

 pastern and foot; the latter when extending the hock 

 flexes the fetlock and joints below. Its principal use is as 

 a mechanical brace during standing and thus preserves 

 the balance; these two muscles form the hamstring. 



Flexion of this important joint is performed by power- 

 ful muscles (flexor metatarsi, extensor pedis and peron- 

 eus). The peroneus originates on the fibula, joins the 

 extensor pedis below the hock, and is of interest because 

 of the radical operation performed on it with the idea of 

 curing stringhalt ; it is really an accessory (helper) 

 muscle to the extensor pedis. The flexor metatarsi orig- 

 inates at the lower end of the thigh bone and terminates 

 at the lower portion of the hock by four insertions, one 

 of which is prolonged over the site of bone spavin, and 

 in surgical work for the relief of such a condition is often 

 severed. The extensor pedis originates on the side of 



