THE POINTS OF THE HORSE, ETC. 29 



below the point, it should be due to the prominence of the bone in this 

 neig"hbourhood and not to an enlargement of the tendons. The inside 

 (best viewed from a point just outside the foreleg) should present a 

 marked knob where the thigh bone terminates and from there slide 

 gradually to the cannon without any very marked prominence over the 

 seat of spavin. When the points of the hocks approach each other, 

 instead of being in the perpendicular, they are termed '■'■ cow /locksJ' 

 " Sickle hocks " are those which are too much bent, so that the 

 line from the point of the hock to the ground slopes forwards. " Curby 

 hock'*'' is an indefinite term used by some to denote the presence of curb, 

 and by others to describe either a hock which they think likely to get a 

 curb, or one which, owing to the prominence of the bone, looks as if it 

 had a curb. When the thighs slope markedly backwards and the hock 

 is further behind the animal than usual, the formation is termed " cat 

 hamniedJ^ 



The hiiid-qiiarters^ providing as they do the propelling force for the The hind- 

 body, must be muscular and of a size proportioned to the rest of the quarters, 

 frame. For speed, length and depth of the quarter, with long, straight- 

 dropped thighs and hocks, are required ; for strength, bulk is essential. 

 In speedy horses width of the quarter is not so noticeable as length and 

 depth, but it is a prominent feature in heavy breeds. Narrow, short 

 quarters wanting muscle between the thighs i^'' split up^'') with cow hocks 

 and cat hams are the worst types. 



The class of horses required for the Army may be generally described 

 as follows : — 



Colours. — Whites and greys are only required for special purposes. Colours, 

 and are always specially ordered. Other very light, or washy coloured 

 horses are not accepted. 



Entire, unmanageable or vicious, crib-biters, windsuckers, parrot- 

 mouthed, undershot, capped elbows, damaged knees, or horses with 

 injured or deficient teeth are not admissible. 



Horses with short docks will not be accepted. 



Soundness in eyes, wind and limb essential ; no stale, upright, or 

 overshot joints, and no curby hocks will be passed. 



The class required is a deep, short legged, short backed, good 

 barrelled horse, of the hunter stamp, with substance and quality, true 

 action, and going quite clear of the joints. 



The same description generally applies to cobs. 



Artillery, Engineers, and Army Service Corps should be good quality 

 draught horses. 



Ages. — For peace, four off to six years ; for war, six to ten years. Ages. 



