HOCK 



87 



direction of flexion and extension is marked by great range and 

 freedom. 



The calcaneus serves an entirely different purpose. Forming the 

 point of the hock, to which are attached strong tendons (fig. 23), it 

 represents a lever more or less powerful in proportion as it is long or 

 short. 



The examination of this joint should be made from various stand- 

 points, so that all its dimensions as well as its general outline may be 

 duly appreciated. 



The first and most important requirement of 

 this reoion is size. The hock should be large, 

 shapely, and well directed. The calcaneus, or bone 

 forming its " point ", should be long, so that the 

 lever of which it forms an important part is 

 increased in length and power, while width and 

 strength are at the same time imparted to the 

 gaskins (Plate XIII, fig. 1). 



Viewed in profile it should be wide from front 

 to back and rest on correspondingly broad canons; 

 any narrowing or " tying in " (Plate XIII, fig. 2) 

 at this part is a serious defect of conformation. 



Seen from before, the bend of the hock should 

 be full and clean, with ample width from side to 

 side well maintained and apportioned from top 

 to bottom. 



Quality is an important adjunct to strength 

 and proportion, and will be marked l)y an absence of any appearance of 

 roundness, a thin, supple skin from beneath which the bones stand out in 

 sharp relief, imparting to the joint both leanness and neatness of outline. 



Full, round, fleshy hocks in which all the anatomical parts are 

 obscured, whatever may be their size and proportion, are objectionable, 

 as they denote a common descent, a lymphatic temperament, and a lack 

 of energy and endurance. 



Given a large, well-directed hock, the power of the muscles which 

 act upon it and the segments of the limb below it will generally be 

 found proportionate in size and strength. 



The direction no less than the form of the hock is materially 

 influenced by the greater or less inclination of the tibia or second thigh 

 above and the canon below. 



When these ])ones approximate to a vertical position the hock and 

 the limb as a whole are rendered straight, and the angularity of the 



Fig. 67 



A, Astragalus. B, Calcaneus. 

 C, Tibia. D, Great Metatarsal 

 or canon-bone. E, Splint-hone. 

 1-4, Small tarsal bones. 



