CONFORMATION i6i 



at a mile was the better shouldered horse of the 

 two. The knees should be in proportion to 

 the body and the bone (known as the piscis) at the 

 back should stand out prominently. It is to this 

 bone that muscles and tendons are what may be 

 termed hinged, and if there is not sufficient room 

 for them to work with ease, the effect is that 

 a horse tires quickly or breaks down. 



Other points to be especially noted are, first, the 

 ribs should be strong and well sprung — i.e. they 

 should give no suggestion of being flat ; also 

 lengthy quarters are just as necessary as a lengthy 

 forehand, and the tail set on high rather than low. 

 Most important, however, are the hocks. Whether 

 placed high or low, they must be strong and have 

 good width. It is from these joints that the pro- 

 pelling power is derived, and bent or faulty hocks 

 condemn almost any kind of horse. It is essential 

 that the bone be carried down straight and level 

 from the hock to the pastern joint. I have heard 

 American judges specify the need of a prominent 

 stifle as giving extra leverage. As the whole weight 

 of a horse is carried on the pastern joints and feet, 

 it is obvious that, without strength in the former 

 and correct shape in the latter, the most perfect 

 conformation in other respects would be of no use. 



The pasterns of horses appear to differ consider- 

 ably, but in first-class horses they are never on the 



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