18 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



downward and backward must be the result of the 

 conditions under wliicli the position and angular 

 conformation of the hock joint answers best the laws 

 of burdens. 



The position of the hock joint should be such that its 

 posterior end, the hock lever-bone, shall just be met 

 by a lot from the ischium bone, and that this lot 

 should run down along the shank bone. Viewed 

 from behind, the hock joints should come closer 

 together than the stifle-joint. The joint, besides 

 showing sharp outlines, must make the impression 

 of massiveness; and not only the cross-section 

 should be considerable, but also the extension from 

 front to rear, as seen from the side. This latter 

 dimension depends principally upon the length of 

 the lever-bone, as representing the common lever 

 for the action of the muscles of the hose, and, there- 

 fore, for all the propulsive powers of the hind legs. 



The shank hone should show a perpendicular posi- 

 tion and appear quite broad when looked at from 

 the side ; the cords on its backside must appear 

 sharply separated from the bone and from each 

 other. The shank bone, serving only as a support, 

 and not as a fastening place for the muscles, is only 

 then favorably formed, if it is as short as possible. 



In i\iQ fetlock or upper pastern-joint the shank bone 

 should be connected with the fetlock under an angle 



