HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



hot feet, and Jioyscs shod icith pads mid leathers^ when buying a 

 roadster. Sidehciie oeeasioia/Iv present. 



I)ACK AND Loins. — Back ratlier short, but strong, and tlie 

 loins long and well muscled. 



(roup. Thighs and Buttocks. — Croup somewhat short, 

 but not over sloped. First and second thighs long, strong, and 

 powerful. Buttocks well rounded and firm. 



Strong, clean, well shaped, and well placed hocks are of 

 the greatest importance, the hind limbs being the propellers of 

 the body. Capped hock may be present. 



Judges of hackneys, roadsters, etc., give a great deal of 

 attention to these regions. Upright, flesh, coarse, over-bent, 

 and puffy hocks, are detrimental. 



Bad hock conformation often reads, " predisposition to 

 disease," puff\' hocks, sprung hock (enlarged ail over it), bone 

 spavin, and thoro-pin, constituting unsoundness. The hrst 

 named is often spoken of as " bog " spavin. Curb, when 

 present, will be seen at the back, below, and in a line with, the 

 point of hock. One or both hocks may be curby. It is, of 

 course, an unsoundness, though manv big curbs never cause 

 lameness. 



Chest. — Deep and of good girth. Kibs ^^ell sprung, and 

 flank thick, so as to make the belly almost level with the floor 

 of the chest. Weaving, wind-sucking, crib-biting, and other 

 vicious habits, are detrimental to a greater or less extent. 

 Courage, speed, harmony, with a compact, well coupled body, 



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