large, that is to say, dish-footed, and the hoof 

 too broad and thin, it will be very dei:rimental 

 to his action ; the feet will interfere with each 

 other, and he will cut before at the fetlocks 

 and pastern joints. A horse with such a foot 

 will soon be tired by its weight-, and if out 

 cf condition, will entangle his legs, and occa- 

 sion his falling j and when this happens, the 

 rider's life will be in great danger, as the horse 

 may roll on him ; or even if he disengage him- 

 self, may receive a kick in the animal's efforts 

 to rise ; and many persons lose their lives by 

 accidents of this sort. 



Having examined the hoof all round outside^ 

 it. now becomes necessary to examine the foot 

 also, and to observe the sole and heel. The 

 heel across at the extremities, should be open 

 and wide. If the heel be too narrow, it is 

 either. naturally so, or occasioned by disease. 

 If itrhQ natural and sound also, it is of little 

 con-gequence 5 but if from disease and contrac- 

 tion, it is a sufficient reason for rejecting the 

 horse altogether. There may be some good 

 horses with narrow heels, but the number will 

 be found to be inconsiderable ; and unless their 

 action be good, whicli is seldom the case with 



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