34 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
another set of muscles, sometimes called the muscles of the 
gullet, or pharynx, which assist in swallowing. The neck 
muscles are divided into two groups, one on each side. The 
action of these are to raise and lower the head, also to turn 
the neck and head from side to side. The muscles of the 
back are generally divided into two groups, one above the 
spinal column and the other below. The muscles above the 
spine assist the animal in running, jumping and rearing. The 
muscles below the spine are sometimes called the lumbar, or 
psoae, situated below the lumbar bones, or the bones of the 
small of the back. The action of these muscles is to assist 
the animal in getting up. These muscles are important, for 
when paralyzed the horse cannot use his hindquarters. Below 
these muscles are the kidneys. 
2. The Gluteal Muscles, or the muscles of the hip, are 
very large, filling in around the hip bones. The action of 
these is much the same as those of the back, as they assist 
in jumping, running, rearing, and in raising the hind leg. 
3. The Abdominal Muscles, or belly muscles, are four 
large, flat muscles on each side of the abdomen, or belly. The 
outer edge of these muscles is attached to the outer ends of 
the false ribs, also to the processes of the lumbar bones and 
the outer angles of the hip bones. They unite below to what 
is called the linea alba, a hard, white fibrous cord, and are 
attached in front to the back part of the breast bone. They 
pass back in the center of the belly and are attached to 
the front of the pubic bones, called the lower bones 
of the hip cavity. About ten inches from 
where it is attached here, passing forward, is a small slit, or 
hole, which is called the navel, or umbilical opening. Here 
the navel vessels pass in and out during the foetus life, or 
before the colt is foaled. This is a point of importance to 
note, for sometimes at the time of birth this opening does 
not close and allows the bowels to come down and form 
what is known as navel, or umbilical rupture. 
Before finishing the description of this group of muscles 
a very large, important ligament should be noted, which is 
found spread all over the abdomen, or belly, of the horse. It 
is of a yellowish color and about one-eighth of an inch thick, 
attached in front to the back of the breast bone and to the 
hip bones behind. This is the first structure seen after re- 
moving the skin from the belly. This ligament gives great 
