40 H0T7 TO JUDGE A HOLSE. 



In this case, the leg is also not balanced in itself, but 

 has to employ active miibcnlar powers to establish 

 equilibrium. But different muscles and cords, 

 acting in a directly opposite direction from those in 

 the under-standing position, must be brought into 

 requisition ; therefore, the extensors will be strained 

 permanently and to a high degree. This must also 

 take place in motion, leading, finally, to a reduced 

 capability of the extensor tendons for the movements 

 of the leg forward. The legs cannot be placed 

 sufficiently under the weight, and will, therefore, not 

 be able to give the horse the necessary support in 

 short paces and stops. 



The direct cause for the back-standing position 

 may be traced to a defective position, or unpro- 

 portioned length, of some bone. Which bone or 

 joint at fault is very essential, for the criticism of 

 the defect. It maybe set down, as a geneal rule, that 

 the defect is most serious if brought about by in- 

 sufficient length and steepness of the thigh bone, as 

 in Fig. 6. 



If the thigh bone is long and oblique, while the 

 main defect exists in a too great length and oblique- 

 ness of the leg bone, as in Fig. 7, then the formation 

 is only unsightly, but the leg is well able for exertions 

 especially in sharp paces. The whole column 

 is yerj extensible, the leg can be stretched far back- 



