HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



such injuries. A wasted ^^so-callcd slip])ed; shoulder should at 

 once condemn the animal. Shivering (a disease) is equally 

 objectionable, and constitutes unsoundness. Many shiverers 

 are unable to back. 



The Arms and Forearms must be big in the bones and 

 have well developed muscles. Any sign of poor development 

 at these parts is very detrimental. Width, depth and pro- 

 portionate length must be present. The forearms should be 

 broadest above, covered by thin skin, becoming squarish at 

 the junction of the knee. The only defects — from a veterinary 

 point of view — likely to be found, may be swelling at the point 

 of the elbow (capped elbow), or another form of swelling above, 

 upon, or below the knee. There are bursal enlargements. 



Knees. — Strong, broad, and square, free from loose or 

 thick skin. There must be no stiffness at the knees. A reason- 

 able amount of knee action is one of the qualifications of the 

 shire. Though the knee may be blemished, the animal's use- 

 fulness may not be interfered with in any way. From the 

 backs of the knees, down the cannon, to the fetlock, there ought 

 to be an abundance of feather, fine in texture. As to other 

 points where the hair is long, any tendency towards coarseness 

 of texture is objectionable. 



The Cannons and Pasterns. ^ — Judges of shires and cart 

 horses pay a great deal of attention to these parts, and if the 

 animal does not come up to the standard of excellence here, he 

 or she will not be in the prize list. As there are no muscles — or 

 practically none — below the knees or hocks in the horse, it 

 follows that little beyond skin, bone and tendon should be 

 felt, constituting the so-called " clean " legs. The cannon 



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