14 HOW TO JUDGE A HOBSE. 



more will the spring act horizontally and spaciously 

 on the same. 



In the fourth moment the under end of the spring 

 (the hoof) leaves the ground, swinging itself off 

 elastically ; the farther back, the more powerful 

 pushing to forward; the farther under the burden, the 

 higher throwing the same upward. Then the whole 

 process begins anew. 



Therefore, we distinguish the moments of the ex- 

 tending^ the footiRgy the supporting, and the propelling. 



It is apparent that the ability of the hind legs to 

 cover much ground can only then be a considerable 

 one, if the combination of the bones, set angularly 

 to each other, is such as to admit not only of their 

 stepping far forward, as also of their holding out far 

 behind the perpendicular. The aspect presented by 

 a well-formed hind leg in performing such a move- 

 ment is composed of the following details : 



(1) The leg should be raised with lightly and 

 equally bent joints, and be placed quick and far 

 under the body. 



(2) In taking np the burden (footing) only the fet- 

 lock should bend moderately. 



(3) The fetlock should rise up again light and 

 elastic under the weight moving forward and over it, 

 and the leg should hold out long behind the perpen- 

 dicular. 



