46 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSE. 



If there exists iu tlie formatious a disproportion 

 between fore and hind hand, the question arises, 

 what kind of service will be required of the horse? 

 For the carriage horse, a small superior roominess 

 of the action of the hind legs will do no harm as 

 it favors propulsion. For saddle use, such a horse 

 is unfit, as, in this case, the fore hand is naturally 

 overburdened, and will be quickly ruined. Only in 

 exceptional cases, where powerful loins permit a 

 transmission of the burden upon the stronger hind 

 hand, the condition of the fore legs may be pre- 

 served by careful riding. Otherwise, it is better to 

 select for saddle use, a horse with less speed, but 

 whose fore and hind hand are in perfect balance. 



The incorrect positions of the fore and hind legs, 

 as we have seen before, combine in their relations as 

 follows : 



(1) If both fore and hind legs are placed back- 

 ward, the animal will easily lose its balance for- 

 ward, will produce much pi'essure forwai'd, but will 

 be unsafe. It is only fit for draught, and will ruin its 

 fore legs. 



(2) If fore and hind legs are placed forward, there 

 will be but little propulsion. It will be a moderate 

 carriage and a slow saddle horse. 



(3) If the fore logs are placed Ijackward and tlie 

 hind legs forward, that is, if all four legs are under 



