JUDGING THE HORSE 



163 



under side, and so must be raised for inspection. The fore 

 foot is usually started easily by running the hand nearest 

 the horse down the shoulder and arm to the back of the 

 cannon, and pressing on the tendons with the ends of the 

 fingers, raising the leg at the same time, using the other 

 hand to catch hold of the hoof as it is raised by the horse. 

 With one hand the hoof may be easily held, while with the 



Fig. 87. 



Examining the front foot of horse, showing method of holding. 

 Photograph by the author. 



other, any accumulated material under the foot may be 

 removed by the use of a small pick of some sort. One may 

 then easily examine the lower part of the foot. The hind foot 

 is examined somewhat differently. If wishing to inspect the 

 left hind foot, the left hand is placed on the croup and quietly 

 slipped down over the thigh to the muscle just above the 

 hock, where a firm pressure with the fingers is given. At the 

 same time the right hand is placed upon the pastern, and the 



