BONE — BONNET 



Bone. — The possession of good bone below the knee 

 always adds to the value of a horse. In this connection 

 the expression " good " may be taken as referring both to 

 the quantity and quality of the bone. An insufficiency of 

 bone may be regarded as a sign of weakness, but a very 

 great deal depends upon the texture, a soft, spongy bone 

 being much less adapted for fast and hard work, than one 

 which shows a close grain. The latter is far better adapted 

 to withstand the effects of concussion than the former, hence, 

 speaking generally, the quality of the bone of light horses 

 is usually superior to that found amongst the heavier breeds, 

 though the latter possess much the bigger limbs. No doubt 

 the amount and quality of bone in individual horses is 

 influenced a good deal by the soil upon which they are bred 

 and raised, it being generally accepted that horses reared in 

 a limestone country possess a superior and more ivory-like 

 quality of bone, whilst that of animals reared on heavy, 

 marshy land is, comparatively speaking, though more largely 

 developed, of a more spongy character. The natural quality 

 of the bone of the Arab horse and the thoroughbred is 

 regarded as the best so far as the lighter breeds are 

 concerned, whilst amongst the heavy varieties the Suffolks 

 occupy a deservedly high position, the density and closeness 

 of bone in these breeds being exceptional. (See Cannon Bones, 

 Climate, Fore-legs, Soil.) 



Bone Spavin. — See Spavin. 



Bones. — The illustration on the next page shows all the 

 principal bones of a horse. 



Bonnet. — A term applied to a person who expatiates 

 upon the merits of a horse with the view of assisting his 

 owner to sell him. Most copers employ the services of a 

 bonnet, who is also often called a chaunter. 



33 C 



