THE SKELETON. 51 



connecting with it, the pasterns. It is apparent that 

 such combination of the bones is advantageous for 

 the extending ability of the limb, as well as for the 

 development of powerful muscles. 



In the hind legs we find the following deviations 

 from these rules : 



(1) The points of the hock joint are placed 

 narrowly together, and from here the shanks run 

 down in an oblique and outward direction, so that the 

 hock, as also the pastern (fetlock) joints, are not 

 perpendicular over the basis of the hoof. The cause 

 for this position is generally a turn of the whole leg 

 around its longitudinal axis, the toe of the hoof 

 being turned outward. The angle of the hock joint 

 is, in this case, generally narrow, and the formation 

 of the leg is called coiv-legged. As a consequence of 

 the great extending ability of the bones, we 

 observe in this formation, generally, a very roomy 

 stride, though accompanied by an unsightly mowing 

 motion of the leg. The motive power is likewise 

 not sufficient, and, if the blemish is very pronounced, 

 the hock joints are exposed to sprains of the 

 ligaments. 



(2) The hind hoofs stand closer together than the 

 hock joints — the so-called hotv-legged position. The 

 toes are mostly turned inward, undergoiug at every 

 step of the leg, a still greater turn inward, at the 



