82 ATTITUDES OF THE HORSE. 



In the front view of a horse which is standing in 

 an unconstrained position, with his feet equally advanced 

 and a little distance apart, the fore-arms will slightly 

 converge, and the cannon-bones will be about parallel 

 to each other (Fig. 55). A vertical and longitudinal 

 plane passing through the centre of the knee and fetlock 

 of each leg will cut the centre of the toe. In Fig. 56, 

 the toes are turned in, and in Fig. 57 they are turned 

 out. For further remarks on this subject see pages 295 

 to 297. 



The rear view of the horse in Fig. 58 illustrates the 

 condition known as " cow-hocks," in which the points of 

 the hocks are more or less turned in. Figs. 59 and 385 

 show symmetrically shaped hind legs, viewed from behind. 

 Although I have devoted much careful study to this 

 subject, I can apply no geometrical rules to determine, 

 as some writers have tried to do, the correct shape of the 

 legs from this aspect. I venture to think that it can be 

 judged only by the trained eye of the observer, in de- 

 ciding whether the hocks are correctly placed, or whether 

 they are turned in, or turned out. 



Standing at Ease. — A sound horse will, almost 

 always, when standing at ease, have both fore feet 

 equally advanced, and with his weight chiefly on 

 them ; for he can obtain this support in front, without 

 muscular effort on his part (to which fact I shall presently 

 again refer), and consequently without fatigue. His head 

 will be lowered, and will be supported by the suspensory 

 ligament of the neck, the action of which can also be 

 utilised without fatigue (p. 39). As the hind hmbs are 

 unprovided with an apparatus by which they can bear 

 weight without fatigue ; their muscles have to obey the 

 law which requires, for the health of muscular tissue, 

 alternate periods of rest and work. Hence, one hind limb 

 is usually rested by its joints being bent and its heel raised, 

 while its fellow supports the weight of the hind-quarters. 



