THE SKELETON. 



30 



horses are quite ablo, tlioiigL a little Lanl ia thcir 

 niotions. 



Also the case, in Fig. 4, where the exquisite length 

 and obliqueness of the thigh bone of itself alone pro- 

 duce the under-standing position, while the other 

 joints are normal, is to be judged favorabl}-. 



But, if the thigh bone is short and the stifle ji^iiit 

 stands straight, the ableness of the leg will under 

 all circumstances be iuconsider- *" i«- 5. 



able. The insignificant flexi- 

 bility of the upper joints throws 

 the weight, in an increased pro- 

 portion, upon the lower joints. 

 In the case, represented in Fig. 5, 

 the oblique direction of the 

 shank bone will increase the 

 under-standing position still 

 more, at the same time narrow- 

 ing the angle of the hock joint, 

 to the injury of the latter. Only 

 the short radius of motion, permitted by the straight 

 and short thigh bone, can save the hock joint froiu 

 too freqr.ent injuries. 



The back-standiiuj position of the hind leg is per- 

 ceptible in that the line from the ischium bone does- 

 not meet the posterior Hue of the hock and the 

 shank bone, but is running down in front of the same. 



Under-standing Poi-i- 

 tion Caused by a 

 Short Leg Bone anij 

 Defective Diiecl'on 

 of the Shank Bone. 



