20 NAMES OF EXTERNAL PARTS AND DEFINITIONS, 



of the ground surface of the foot which is included between 

 the wall, bars, and frog. 



Back (ii). — Anatomically speaking, the back consists 

 of that portion of the spinal column to which the ribs are 

 attached, and it consequently includes the withers ; but not 

 the loins. The term *' back " is, in common parlance, an ill- 

 defined region. Some regard It as consisting of the whole of 

 the upper line of the body, from the front of the withers to 

 the root of the tail Others would exclude from this the 

 croup. Probably, the majority of horsemen would say the 

 back of a horse is included between the highest point of 

 the croup and the commencement of the withers. For con- 

 venience sake I shall adopt the anatomical definition, with 

 the omission of the withers, which have separate functions, 

 and which I shall consider by themselves. I may, therefore, 

 state that the back is bounded in front by the withers ; behind^ 

 by the loins ; and on each side, by the ribs. 



The Loins (12) are placed between the back and croup, 

 at front and rear, with the flanks on each side. We may 

 regard the loins as that portion of the spinal column which is 

 devoid of ribs, and which is in front of the highest point 

 {posterior iliac spine, Fig. 12) of the pelvis 



The Ribs (13) are bounded by the shoulders in front, 

 by the flanks behind, by the back above, and by the belly 

 and brisket {sternum) below* 



The Flank (14) is that part of the side of the horse 

 which is free from bone and which thinly covers the in- 

 testines. It is placed between the loins above, the ribs to 

 the front, the thigh and point of the hip to the rear, and the 

 belly below. 



The hollow of the flank Is the upper portion of the flank, 

 which is bounded above by the loins, and below by a line 

 joining the end of the last rib with the lower edge of the 

 point of the hip. 



