42 EXAMINATION OF HORSES 



tically and anatomically, it is neither more nor less than 

 a part of a phalanx, much modified by being surrounded 

 by hoof and otherwise, but still dLpart of a phalanx, and 

 one (the distal) of three parts whose bones, from above 

 downwards, are named respectively the suffraginal, 

 coronal, and pedal. 



This being so I utterly ignore all descriptions of the 

 foot as such, and proceed to describe all the structures 

 from tke fetlock joint dowmoards as a wJiole. 



The fore legs, as you know, are the weight-bearers 

 and the hind legs are ik\t propellers. You will best see 

 this by letting fall an imaginary plumb line through the 

 long axis of the fore leg. This line, as the horse is 

 standing on level ground, comes up through the root 

 of the neck at its upper end, but at its lower (in a well- 

 shaped Umb) finds the fetlock joint its lowest point, and 

 reaches the ground slightly behind the heel of the foot. 

 Here I am speaking of a well-made horse, irrespective of 

 breed, standing on level ground, thoroughly awake, and 

 in attention. Notice how little weight there now is in 

 front of this line, for you have only the — 



I. Head. 2. Neck. 3. Half the shoulders. 



So that in this position, when the horse is awake and in 

 attention, you .see, the fore and hind limbs bear the 

 weight of the body equally ; because, if the fore limbs 

 have the head, neck, and half the shoulders in front of 

 them, they have the large light thorax immediately 

 behind them, whilst the hind limbs have their own 



