28 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



column, existing onlj' for the pur{)ose of facilitating 

 a contraction of the leg while bringing the same for- 

 ward. If this contraction, between fore arm ami sbiu 

 bone were not possible, if both would present one- 

 uuinterrupted piece of bone from the elbow down to 

 the fetlock joint, the foot in moving forward would 

 continually strike against obstacles on the ground. 

 For this reason the knee joint is indispensable. 

 It has no other essential task, but to facilitate a 

 reduction of the whole length of the leg. It 

 is perfectly justifiable to consider the shank l-ona 

 of the hind leg, daring the period of supporting, 

 equal to the whole column from the elbow dov.ii 

 to the fetlock. 



If we considei', iu this manner, the forearm as an 

 upward extension of the shin bone, then the elbow 

 joint corresponds with the hock joint, the shoulder 

 joint with the stifle-joint. 



The principal points, in comparing the different 

 bones and joints, should always bo the similarity of 

 their movements. The shoulder joint and elbow 

 joint control all the extensible movements of the 

 fore leg, in the same manner, as the stifle joint and 

 hock joint govern those of the hind leg. Particularly 

 pronounced is the similarity of the actions, if we 

 observe the efi"ect of the muscles on the levera 

 during the supporting and propelling activity of 



