The exterior of the horse . y of theformer is nearer to the ground and more voluminous than that of thelatter, which, to use the comparison, appears, to a certain degree,mounted on stilts. It is easy to verify this statement by measure-ments which we ourselves have been careful to make before abandoningthe classical opinion which claims that race-horses have their hocks aslow as possible. We see, then, all proportions being of course consid-ered, that their canons are always longer than is believed. Hencethese animals possess more speed, for necessarily they embrace at eachstep a longer expans
The exterior of the horse . y of theformer is nearer to the ground and more voluminous than that of thelatter, which, to use the comparison, appears, to a certain degree,mounted on stilts. It is easy to verify this statement by measure-ments which we ourselves have been careful to make before abandoningthe classical opinion which claims that race-horses have their hocks aslow as possible. We see, then, all proportions being of course consid-ered, that their canons are always longer than is believed. Hencethese animals possess more speed, for necessarily they embrace at eachstep a longer expanse of space. The relative length of the canon should be studied with regard tothe region which surmounts it, the leg or the forearm. We know already that the length of the broken radio-metacarpalor tibio-metatarsal lever in rapid motors is due to the development ofthe superior bone, the radius or the tibia. It is necessary, therefore,that the canon be in such cases short. When it is thus, we know that I POSTERIOR MEMBER. 285. Fig. 94. the muscles experience less fatigue and contract to better short canon is less heavy, oscillates more freely, unfolds itself more,and does not necessitate the same elevation of themember above the ground to reach the limit ofits movements. Hence it is advisable to seek,in the pendulum under examination, a great ex-tent for the display of what we have alreadydesignated its active function ; in its 2)(issive func-tion the canon is inert, being incapable of accel-erating: or slackening the movement which iscommunicated to it. (See Forearm and Leg.) Width and Thickness.—The width ofthe canon is measured from before to behind,considering the animal in profile. It proceedsfrom the separation of the principal bone of thisregion from the flexor tendons of the phalanges^wdiich procured also to the latter the designationwell detached (Fig. 94). It is due, in the ante-rior members, to the volume of the antibrachialmuscles ; in the posterior, to
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjecthorses, bookyear1892
