THE SKELETON. 65 



this pain, the horse gets restless, rears up and 

 throws himself over, these individuals are utterly 

 astonished and even quite indignant at the vicious- 

 ness of that beast, and many are the blows he 

 receives in the bargain. As long as horse- owners 

 do not take more interest in their horses it is to be 

 feared that such contemptible practices will not be 

 stopped. 



The best way is, never to buy, for saddle or 

 harness use, a horse whose jaws are not diverging, 



A few words about the ^'flying step,'' formerly so 

 much favored. If, at a sharp trot, the fore leg is 

 extended fully, the hoof pauses for a moment 

 entirely, floating in the air, as it were, so that, 

 observed from front, the sole of the hoof can be 

 seen. The pausing of the hoof marks the moment 

 when the propelling power of the hind leg comes to 

 a premature end, being no longer able to throw 

 the body to that place, where the hoof points. It 

 forces the animal instead of carrying out the step to 

 its full length, to draw the leg back. The flying 

 step is, therefore, a useless waste of power, affecting 

 muscles and sinews in a high degree. Experience 

 shows that these horses cover very little ground. 



Just as ruinous is the " Jiigh knee action^' so much 

 in favor at present, and almost the sole considera- 

 tion for the valuation of a carriage-horse. It is the 



