BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



foot and leg firmly but quietly raised upward and backward, 

 reaching away from the body. This brings the hoof in 

 front of the examiner, with its lower surface facing to the 

 rear, and at about knee height. No great effort should be 

 made in raising the feet, for the horse will easily support him- 

 self on his three other limbs. Young horses require more 



patience than old ones 

 in foot examination, but 

 after a few shoeings, 

 with horses of good dis- 

 position no trouble may 

 be expected. It is wise 

 to move with care about 

 the hind legs, especially 

 directly in the rear, to 

 avoid the chance of being 

 kicked. 



The study of action 

 is most important with 

 the driving horse. How 

 high a valuation should 

 be given to the gait will 

 depend upon the use of 

 the horse, and the kind 

 of shoes he has on his 



feet. All carriage horses, and race horses in particular, 

 are so shod as to regulate their action, if used by men 

 who know the relation of form and weight of shoe to foot 

 and leg movement. A fancy driver should show a snappy, 

 stylish action, with the knees and hocks carried rather high 

 and strong. A roadster will show, a longer, more powerful, 

 yet plainer gait, with not so high or short movement. \\ hen 

 action is being inspected, the horse should first be led at a 



Fig. 88. Showing correct position for 

 holding and examining the hind foot. Photo- 

 graph by the author. 



