THE HORSE.-NO. 2. 
57 
they been, this would have subjected the back to 
dangerous shocks. These bones are united with 
each other by cartilage or gristle, and are bound all 
together in a column by strong ligaments. Any 
two of these bones united by cartilage constitute a 
joint, with a small power of motion only. Yet 
while any One joint possesses but a small power of 
motion, the back has in its whole length a great 
one, and hence possesses great strength and flexi¬ 
bility. The ribs form joints with the bones of the 
back, and are received into the cartilage between 
the different bones of the back. So strong is this 
cartilaginous union of the bones of the back with 
each other, and of the ribs with the spine, that in 
case of injury, the bones and ribs will be broken 
sooner than the cartilage will give way. The spine, 
in the part called the back, is composed of twenty- 
three bones, viz. eighteen composing the back pro¬ 
per, and five the loins. On this part of the animal 
the weight is placed, and ease of carriage and 
strength are necessary. If the back were stiff and 
unyielding the motion of the animal would be in¬ 
tolerable from the greatness of the jar; if it were 
very flexible it would he weak. It is hence greatly 
flexible as a whole, yet but little-so in any small 
section of it. Strength and ease being both neces¬ 
sary, are accomplished in this way; viz. the bones 
are united together with peculiar firmness; the round 
head of one is exactly fitted to the socket of the 
one immediately before it in the column of the back ; 
and between them is placed the elastic ligamentous 
cartilage or gristle. There are ligaments running 
along the broad surface of these back bones on the 
under side. There are horizontal projections, or 
spurs, on these bones; along these run ligaments; 
there are upright spurs to the hones, and along 
these run ligaments ; and in addition, the pack-wax 
of the neck extends along the whole course of the 
back and loins. These ligaments are inserted into 
the various muscles at their end and along their 
course, and contract and expand as the motions of 
the animal render necessary. This whole com¬ 
bination makes a back of great strength and flex¬ 
ibility, capable of sustaining a great weight, without 
those shocks or jars to the rider which would be 
fatal to the horse himself if the b^k wptp «n- 
The Roadster.—Fig. 12. 
yielding. Yet even these ligaments, with all their 
power, may be ruined, by over weight, too violent 
exercise, or too sudden pulling up on the haunches 
to arrest motion. In such case, they inflame and 
are changed to hone, and the joints cease to exist, 
and the back is one solid column of bone. Most 
of badly used old horses have stiff backs, more or 
less from this cause; they are unpleasant to ride, 
lie down and turn with difficulty, and straddle in 
moving. 
I, the shoulder blade. 
to, the upper bone of the arm, or lower part of 
the shoulder. 
ft, the fore part of the chest; or the breast and 
breast bone, consisting of seven to nine bones. 
o, the elbow ; the rear of the elbow is called the 
point of the elbow, or point of the arm. 
p p, the under bone of each arm. 
q q, the knees of each fore leg, consisting of 
seven bones; six of them are interposed between 
the lower end or head of the under bone of the 
arm and the upper ends or the heads of the bones 
of the leg below the knee; the seventh is placed 
behind the other six, and bears no weight, but is a 
point of attachment for two muscles, concerned in 
the backward bending or contraction of the whole 
leg. These seven bones, and the heads of the arm 
and shank bone, are all covered with a thick elastic 
cartilage, or gristle, to facilitate action and prevent 
too much jar. The whole joint, consisting of all 
the bones, is bound together firmly by ligaments. 
r r, the larger cannon or shank bone in front, and 
the smaller or splent bone behind, of each fore leg. 
s s, the fore pastern and foot; consisting of the 
upper pastern bone, with some bones behind (simi¬ 
lar to the bones of the knees), making the joint of 
the upper pastern with the shank bone ; the lower 
pastern bone; the coffin bone ; the shuttle bone 
(not seen), joining with the lower pastern and coffin 
bone. 
t t, the ribs; seven or eight joining on to the 
breast bone, and called the true ribs; and ten or 
eleven united together by cartilage or gristle, called 
the false ribs. 
u, the haunch ; consisting of three parts, called 
by surgeons the ilium, the ischium, or hip bone, 
