THE SKELETON. 



39 



horses are quite able, tliougL a little hard in their 

 motions. 



Also the case, in Fig. 4, where the exquisite length 

 and obliqueness of the thigh bone of itself alone pro- 

 duce the under-standing position, while the other 

 joints are normal, is to be judged favorably. 



But, if the thigh bone is short aud the stifle joint 

 stands straight, the ableness of the leg will under 

 all circumstances be inconsider- ^^^- 5. 



able. The insignificant flexi- 

 bility of the upper joints throws 

 the weight, in an increased pro- 

 portion, upon the lower joints. 

 In the case, represented in Fig. 5, 

 the oblique direction of the 

 shank bone will increase the 

 under-standing position still 

 more, at the same time narrow- 

 ing the angle of the hock joint, 

 to the injury of the latter. Only 

 the short radius of motion, permitted by the straight 

 and short thigh bone, can save the hock joint from 

 too frequent injuries. 



The hack-standing position of the hind leg is per- 

 ceptible in that the line from the ischium bone does 

 not meet the posterior line of the hock and the 

 shank bone, but is running down in front of the same, 



Under-standing Posi- 

 tion Caused by a 

 Short Leg Bone and 

 Defective Direction 

 of the Shanli Bone. 



