404 MAJl^lTAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



rumped. Many blood-horses have this characteristic. Avoid 

 the purchase of one so formed, as they rarely have good 

 action. Horses long in the quarter are seldom serviceable ; 

 if a horse is required for field sports, always choose him 

 short in the quarters, as this is a character possessed by all 

 good leapers. The thighs must be muscular, and extending 

 to the hock, from which to the hoof he should be clean, flat, 

 and sinewy. The back part of the thigh ought to have a 

 considerable bend, as a straight-legged animal seldom pos- 

 sesses good action, although there are exceptions to this 

 rule. Avoid those which are cat-hammed, that is, with 

 their hocks nearly touching each other. See that the fore- 

 legs are strong and muscular down to the knee, and other- 

 wise formed as we have described the fore legs. Let the 

 feet be nearly circular, gradually increasing as they descend 

 towards the sole. Their inclination outwards should not be 

 so great as that of the pastern ; the chances are that feet 

 which slope too much forwards are diseased, or liable to it ; 

 besides, this obliquity throws the animal too much on his 

 heels, which produces tenderness of the part, and straining 

 of the back sinew. 



The position of the legs and feet, or what may be termed 

 their setting on, is a most important point. Viewing the 

 horse in front, his legs should be as nearly straight as pos- 

 sible, and his feet neither inclining to the right or left ; 

 as feet turned outwards are very liable to cut and trip, and 

 the action of the horse is seldom good or agreeable to the 

 eye, having an outward stride, and loses ground thereby at 

 every step. Horses with an inward inclination are said to 

 be pin-toed, or pigeon-toed. These generally throw the foot 

 outwards, exhibiting the sole of the foot while in action to 

 those who are standing on one side of him. Such horses 

 have usually a laboured action, which fatigues the animal. 



