JUDGING DRAFT HORSES 



231 



Examine the hock from the front of the horse and observe 

 its outline. It should be large, clean, strong, and well set. 

 See Figs. 16 and 17. Examine the hocks for bone spavins. 

 This is the most common trouble of the hocks, and when 



FIG. 17. Side view of hind legs of horses. A vertical line drawn downward 

 from the hip joint should fall upon the center of the foot and divide the 

 gaskin in tho middle ; and a vertical line drawn from the point of the 

 buttock should coincide with the angle of the hock and pastern joints. 

 Cut A represents the right conformation. B and C are common defects. 

 (After John A. Craig.) 



visible, appears as a bony enlargement on the lower inner side 

 of the hock joint. 



The fetlocks should be wide, strong, and clean, and the pas- 

 terns strong and springy. The feet should be large, even 

 sized, and clean. 



Action 9 Per Cent, Walk the horse and observe its action. 

 Its movement should be fast for a heavy horse, elastic, and 

 regular, and the feet should move in a straight line. 



Trot the horse and see that its movement is free, springy, 

 straight, and balanced. See that it does not " wing " or 

 " paddle." Examine the horse for unsoundness of wind 

 after trotting. 



