or Hanch, the Hip, or that part of the body between the last ribs and the thigh.

The haunches of a horse are too long, if when standing in the stable he limps, with his hind-legs farther back than he ought; and when the top or onset of his tail is not in a perpendicular line to the tip of his hocks, as it always does in horses whose haunches are of a just length. There are some horses which though they have too long haunches, yet commonly walk well: such are good to climb hills, but are not at all sure upon a descent; for they cannot ply their hams, and never gallop slowly, but always nearly upon a full speed. The art of riding the great horse has not a more necessary lesson than that of putting a horse upon his haunches; which, in other words, is called coupling him well; or putting him well together, or compact. A horse that cannot bend or lower his haunches, throws himself too much upon his shoulder, and lies heavy upon the bridle.