In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 237 



neither inclining to the left or right, as feet turned 

 outward are very liable to cut and trip, and the action 

 is seldom good or agreeable to the eye, having an outward 

 movement, and thereby losing ground at every step. 

 Horses with an inward inclination of the feet are said to 

 be " pin-toed " or " pigeon-toed ; " these generally throw 

 their feet outward, exhibiting the sole of the loot whilst 

 in action. Such horses have generally a laboured action ; 

 they soon tire when upon a journey, as the fatigue is 

 equal to a third, more or less, of the journey. The fore- 

 legs should be well set under the fore-part of the shoulder, 

 affording ample support to it. Such as have their legs 

 placed forward have neither support nor action ; when 

 the legs are viewed sideways or profile, they should be 

 nearly straight, but when horses have what is called 

 " calf knees," that is the knees sunk backwards, and with 

 the shank -bone sloping forwards, it is a certain sign of 

 weakness, and such horses will more easily knock up 

 when on a long journey; yet I do not recollect ever 

 seeing a " calf-kneed " horse with a broken knee. The 

 hind -legs should be either straight from the hock down- 

 wards, or have a slight inclination under the belly. 

 Horses so formed are for the most part low in the rump, 

 and will throw out their legs well under them when in 

 action ; on the contrary, horses that throw out their 

 legs are disagreeable to ride and seldom good workers, 

 Horses that stand with their legs much under them, 

 and at the same time droop in the quarters, ma}' be 

 suspected of being diseased in the kidneys or sj)ine, 

 and should be carefully examined upon that point. 

 While doing so on no account let the dealer's servant 



