108 QUALITY. 



the difference in the angles of the fore and hind pasterns. 

 The angle of the fore feet is about fifty degrees, and that of 

 the hind ones sixty degrees. The inner sides, called the in- 

 ner quarters, slope less than the outer quarters. 



The heels and bars should be neither verv narrow nor 

 unduly wide ; the former condition indicates a tendency to 

 contraction, and the latter to weakness. 



The sole of the hoof should be smooth and hard. A 

 scaly or chalky condition is a sign of an unhealthy state. 

 The online of the soft, rubber-like substance called the 

 "frog" should be clearly defined, and the parts well devel- 

 oped and pliable. If, after the feet are washed out, a dis- 

 agreeable odor is detected, it is an indication of the exist- 

 ence of thrush or some other form of disease. 



QUALITY. 



Quality in a horse is the same as it is in a person. It is 

 necessary that both should possess the highest fulfilment of 

 mental and physical attributes ; the latter to be in harmony 

 with the size of the man or the animal. Quality may exist 

 in horses of all sizes, but there are certain types that offer a 

 better setting than others for the display of this property. 

 All the fineness of outline and texture may be present, but 

 hidden by a heavy coat or bad condition, etc. For the same 

 reason those animals which are kept trimmed up and are 

 otherwise carefully cared for are afforded a better chance to 

 display whatever degree of quality they possess. A horse 

 may show that he is well bred without possessing quality, 

 and hence breeding and quality cannot be considered as 

 being synonymous. 



A correspondent to one of the papers devoted to the 



