TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 365 



or nothing because the vehicle follows without having to be 

 pulled. This is a decided error, for in going down hill still 

 more weight is thrown on the fore legs, and if the animal is made 

 to descend at speed he hammers his fore legs severely, and often 

 stumbles and falls. Because of the hammering to which the 

 fore legs and feet of the horse are subjected, and because of the 

 great strain coming upon the hock joint due to its prominent 

 part in propulsion, the feet and legs constitute a most vital part 

 in every type of horse, and special attention should be given to 

 front feet, front pasterns, the hocks, and the set or position 

 of the hind legs when judging. 



Hoof mechanism. When the horse places his foot on the 

 ground, expansion occurs, especially at the heels. When the 

 foot is raised there is contraction. The plantar cushion, being 

 soft, transmits force or motion in all directions more or less 

 equally (as a liquid). It cannot move downward to any great 

 degree, hence it spreads or diffuses laterally, and so the heels 

 expand. When the horse places his foot on the ground there 

 occurs: (1) Contraction of the hoof at the toe- wall coronet; 

 (2) sinking of the sole, especially at its branches; (3) expansion 

 of the heels; (4) sinking of the bulbs of the heels. These four 

 movements constitute what is known as the "hoof mechanism." 

 The health of the foot is dependent on the normal and free hoof 

 mechanism, and it should not be hindered by improper shoeing 

 or other causes. Hoof mechanism breaks concussion and assists 

 circulation. Concussion is shock and counter-shock. These 

 shocks must be diffused, and this is cared for laterally in the 

 foot by its changes in form. 



Absorption of concussion. Every step at the walk or trot 

 means a big concussion between the ground and the front foot 

 of the horse. Were it not for certain arrangements for the 

 absorption of this shock or jar, the horse would soon be made 

 worthless. Hoof mechanism is, as we have seen, one of the 

 means of scattering the shock, acting in much the same way 

 as a pneumatic tire on a vehicle. Another safe-guard is found 

 in a sloping pastern, which acts in much the same manner as 

 the spring under a carriage. Then there is the angle between 

 humerus and forearm, and also between scapula and humerus, 

 which also act as springs. A sloping shoulder is useful in the 

 same way. 



If you have ever ridden in a farm wagon over a rough road, 

 standing on your heels, you can appreciate the tremendous wear 



