112 THE HORSE. 



THE HOCK 



The public have very properly attributed as much im- 

 portance to the formation and soundness of the hock 

 as to that of any other joint in the body. This is not 

 to be wondered at, when we consider that in nine 

 cases out of ten it is the seat of all the lameness which 

 occurs in the hind-quarter. The case is just the re- 

 verse in the fore-quarter, as in the vast majority of in- 

 stances the lameness there is situated somewhere be- 

 tween the knee and the ground. 



The leverage of the hind-quarter is so favourable, 

 and the propelling muscles are so powerful, that the 

 hock-joint, in order to remain sound, requires to be 

 remarkably well-formed. It must decidedly be large, 

 coarse, and well-developed in all its parts. No matter 

 how well and smooth it may look, if it is small it will 

 not stand severe work. Many parties are afraid of large, 

 coarse hocks ; but they are certainly astray. Without 

 size, the hock cannot have strength. Let it be large, 

 and, at the same time, properly proportioned in all its 

 parts. The gi-eatest evil arises from having some 

 parts large, whilst others are small. Such a formation 

 ynW not do. Everything shduld be on a balance. 

 The larger the bones are which enter into the composi- 

 tion of the joint, the more extensive will be the surface 

 presented by them for the attachment of those power- 

 ful ligaments which are required to keep them in their 



