The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-24

be far less useful 10 the animal, and tend also to
diminish the effect Of muscular conTactiity. Elias
ITCHY breaks the active force OF muscular contrac.
tlon by interposing spring. and all the power
which Is demanded to overcome the effect OF that
propulsion OF the animal is concerned. Therefore
Is tnat Nature IN order 10 give greater efficiency
tached the hind extremries to inc frame oy direct
bony articulation, which IL not The case with the
The function of the thorac,c extremties as has
already been stated Is to support and direct while
that OF the binder limbs is TO prope the frame. TIE
simple facts explain In few words. the principles
which should direct us III judging OF the capabilities
OF the animal machine. With regard TO the COM
parative length OF the upper aud lower parts OF tn
extremity it viii be found that as the length above
the hOck Is Increased that below 1t Is diminished.
and below the knee. II we have short quarters
or shoulders 1t follows that the column OF
then done below the hook ana knee. But il the
animal ia formed with deep forehand and long
quarters the cannon bones prpor,ionately dmin.
ished in longitude THIS Is one reason OF the
vantage usually observed TO follow the posst ssOn
OF short cannon 30 generally ana properly
esteemed.
THE uAuNcH, THIGH AND srIFFLE.
The haunch Is composed OF three Irregular bones
on each side, which, coalescng, forms an arch for
the support OF the posterOr parts OF the body and
the protection OF the pelvic vlscera. These three
form at their point OF union cup for the reception
OF the head or the upper or true thigh bone, oe.
bone. Their union forms ball and socket joint,
which Is covered with large masses Of muscle,
The prominencps OF the haunch bones give ad-
vantageOus insertion to some OF the most powerful
ono the Se FROM ,he 70 sn ne
femur or thigh bone proper slants forward TO meet
the head Of the lower bone Of the thigh one leg
corresponding TO our kneepan-constitute the stile
joint. Attached to the mead Of the leg bone is q
short bone called the fbua. The bones OF the lower
thigh are directed backwards, forming consider
able angle with the femur, thus giving to the
muscles acting on the part mechanical advantage
which thoy would not otherwise possess; at tho
same time the weight is thrown on them SO OBJ,
hquely as TO prevent conclusion. The femur and
tiba should be long for the reasons we have oil.
legged when treating on the hindquarters. 1t gives
ening the muscular fore ITSELF and secondly by in.
creasing the leverage a. which those muscles act.
THE HOOK JOINT
is part OF great Importance. 1t Is composed OF no
sive motion exists, While between Others the action
Is inconslderable but on them the stress Of exertion
falls during progression. The cnlei motion OF this
joint Is between the lower head OF the tiba and the
calcs forms an important feature OF this joint; ~
projects boldly upwards from tho Otner bones and
cordng to its length ana direction to the ten,lons
Of the most powerful muscles licking the limo. The
pressure rejected by this bone TO those Immediately
beneath 1t during the active exertons OF the animal
must be enormous. When this Is pI opery considered
liable 10 the disease called spawn, and the only
wonder Is thai they so long Withstand such extraor
binary and severe exertlon; the mechanical con.
similar to the corresponding one OF the fore eXtrem.
tiles, and needs no further description.
Such the views entertained by the best writer's
| and keenest judges OF what constitutes
| THE GOOD POINTS OF HORSE,
and are here ramiiiarly presented to enable indi.
viduas who cannot obtain tue services OF the edu-
| Gated veterinarian to choose horse. We annex
| VarroS description Of good horse, written 1900
years ago. 1t Is a brief summary Of what has Deen
here written, and 1t Is applicable now as then; and
still more bref dellneation by Shakespeare, who 1t
would appear, was almost as good Judge OF horse
| as ne was OF mankind.
| vARROs DESCRIPTION.
ellis head should be small his limbs clean and
compact. his eyes bright and sparkling his nOstrs
open and large his ears placed each other. his
name strong and lu his shoulders nat ana sloping
backwards. his barrel round, compact and rather
small, his lOins broad and strong MS tall full and
bushy, his legs straight and even, his knees round
| au1 well knit, his hOofs hard and tough, and his
veins large and swelling boldly throughout his
| body"
Shakespeare POLITICALLY gives 1t thus
Rouud-hoofed, short ointed, feocks shag and long,
Broad breast full eyes, small head and nostrils wiie
High crest short straight passing strong
Thin name, thick tall broad bullock, tender hide
Look what horse should have he did not lack
gavp Drou IN 40 r0uda hack