The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-09-21
AGRICULTURAL
Anatomy of the Horse.

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The posterior extremities are divided in
o the haunch, the thigh, the hook, the leg,
and foot, being the bones concerned in
this portion oil the animal. The
hind legs of the horse resemble very much
The legs Of man. The haunch or pelvis "
the posterior boundary Of the trunk,
and is connected with the spine. 1t pre-.
sents a large, irregular cavity, open before
and behind, and contains the urinary and
organs, with a portion Of the intes.
iscomposed offour bones. Two
Of these. called the haunch bones, or ossa
innominata, form the lateral and inferior
portions Of the pelvis. Each of these two
bones consists of three bones, termed the
ilium, ischium, and pubs. The pubs is
the smallest, and s~ustains the bladder, and
uniting with the opposite bone form the
symphisis pubs. From the loins to the
setting on Of the tail, a line should be car
ried almost straight. The width of the
haunch is Of great importance, as it af-
lords more room for the attachment Of
muscles.
The thigh bone is the largest and stong-
est in the skeleton, is short and thick, and
has prominences, which are received into
corresponding depressions in the next bone
and a depression in ront in which the bone
of the knee plays as a pulley. The stife
bone, corresponding to the knee-pan in
man, glides over the pully like surface in
front. This and the two prominences be-
low and behind constitute the s,ihe joint.
The leg bone Of the horse, or the lower
bone of the thigh, as it is called, is com
posed of two bones, the tibia and the 6bula.
The tibia is the largest, and in rom reach
es from the stiie to the back. The fbula
is very small, and reaches the third of the
way down.
The lower bone Of the thigh forms an an
gle with the upper one, exactly the reverse
of the one between the upper one and the
pelvis. The object Of this is to obviate
conclusion, on the principle Of the spring.
and also to give a favorable direction to
the muscles. This part ofthe thigh should
be long, in order that the contraction OF
the muscles may be as great as possible.
The inferior extremity ofthis bone enters
into the formation of the hook joint. which
consists ofthree sharpened projections and
two deep articular grooves-one Of these
projections separating the grooves and the
others forming the lateral prominences.
The line of direction below the hooks
should be perpendicular to the fe,lock.-
The weight and stress will thus be equally
diffused not only over the entire back, but
also over the pasterns and foot. Some
horses have their hooks closer than usual
to each other, and the legs and feet turn
outwards. These animals are said to be
cow-hocked, and are thought to have con-
siderable speed. This may be the case.
but the advantage gained is more than
counterbalanced by many evils to which
they are liable, such as spavins. windgalls,
and curbs.
The other bones Of the hind legs are
very similar 10 those of the fore legs which
have been described.
The muscles Of the posterior extremities
are more powerful than those Of any other
part of the frame. and provision is made 10
continue them in their respective positions,
and TO contribute TO their security and
strength. When the skin is stripped off.
the muscles are not found naked, but they
are covered and closely compacted togeth-
err by a dense, strong membrane which is
called a fascia.
The diseases Of the posterior extremities
are numerous.
The stiff joint is often sprained, and
sometimes dislocated. Sprain is indicated
by swelling, andNis of little harm to the
horse. Dislocation is much more serious
and often the horse never RECEIVERS, but al.
ways remains lame. T~horough-pin af
fects the hind legs, and is similar to 9
windgal. The treatment is bandaging
blistering. or firing if necessary. 1t is no
a serious disease, but should be watched
lest the cause which produce it should
weaken other parts.
There is sometimes a sprain of the hook
or inflammation of that part Of the leg
which may be abated by applying blisters
and allowing the horse to rest. Sometimes
it will not yield to treatment; and although
a horse may work moderately for three oil
four years, yet when called on TO do any
extra days work, lameness comes on and
may always continue.
The ligaments of the leg sometimes be.
come sprained, and then arises a tumol
called curb Blistering should be tried
and sometimes firing is necessary. A horse
affected with a curb should be regarded
with suspicion. The swelling is best Oh.
served when looking sideways at the leg
A horse with a curb should be allowed tc
rest at least a month after the treatment is
commenced. 1t is often an hereditary dis.
ease.
Bone-spavin is a very common disease
When it first comes On, the horse is quite
lame, and suffers great pain. Soon both
disappear. the parts becoming used to the
tumor on the hook joint. II the disease
does not interfere with the ligaments, it is
OF little disadvantage; iii does. the disease
is more serious. 1t is a peculiarly of III
spawned horse that when first taken out he
is very lame. but after travelling a while
!. he becomes almost entirely free from limp
ing. Spawned horses are best fitted for
farming, where no great speed is needed
Little can be satisfactorily said Of the
treatment of spawn. Continued blisterine
sometimes is effectual.
A disease sometimes affects the mem.
brane between the bones of the hook joint
1t causes lameness, but little is known O