96 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



may indicate tendency to falling. Score off for small, weak, crooked 

 or tied in knees or those that are rough, coarse, fleshy or scarred. 



Canons. The canons, extending from knees to fetlocks, are 

 composed chiefly of bones and tendons. They should be short, 

 strong, clean, wide and with tendons prominent and smooth. Per- 

 fect, 2 points. The desirable flat appearance of these short, strong 

 bones is largely due to prominence of back tendons and to lack of 

 coarseness and meatiness. Feather, if present, should be fine, silky, 

 springing from the rear of the tendons. Such hair indicates fine, 

 strong dense quality of bone and is usually associated with strong 

 tendons. Coarse, kinky hair, growing from the rear and sides of the 

 canons, indicates coarse skin overlying spongy bone and gives the 

 legs a round appearance. 



Fetlocks. These should be wide, straight, strong and free 

 from puffs, callouses or interfering sores. Perfect, 1 point. What 

 has been said about feather in the foregoing paragraph applies 

 equally to these joints. Sores or callouses caused by interfering, 

 knuckling, cocking forward or breaking backward are highly objec- 

 tionable. 



At the back part of each fetlock, under the "footlock" of hair, 

 will be found a horny projection, known as the ergot. This is large 

 and prominent in some draft horses, but less developed in horses of 

 the light breeds. These and the chestnuts on the inner, lower part 

 of the hock joints are considered vestigial hoofs of the prehistoric 

 horse. Chestnuts are also found above the knees. 



Pasterns. These bones, extending from fetlocks to hoofheads, 

 should be moderately sloping, strong and clean. Perfect, 3 points. 

 The tendency in the average draft horse is toward short, upright 

 pasterns and stubby gait. This is highly objectionable as are also 

 very long, weak pasterns, which bring the back of the fetlocks too 

 close to the ground. The latter cause strain upon the tendons when 

 drawing heavy loads. The short upright pasterns are even more 

 objectionable since they prevent springy, elastic action of the feet 

 and allow concussion to jar the bony columns of the legs. The irri- 

 tation and inflammation induced by continued jarring often result 

 in sides bones, ring bones, corns and kindred diseases. The bone of 

 the pastern should have a slope of about 45 degrees and the front of 

 the foot 50 degrees. Horses having upright pasterns and consequent 

 stubby action wear out quickly when used upon paved streets. 



Feet. The hoofs should be ample in size, sound, smooth and 

 symmetrical in shape. Perfect, 8 points. The hoof is a continua- 

 tion of the skin of the parts above. The color of the skin decides the 

 color of the hoof. Dark colored hoofs are preferred. Color counts 

 for little, however, if the hoofs are of poor shape and texture. The 

 horn should be smooth, waxy looking and free from cracks or ridges 

 and the coronets (hoof heads) should be open, prominent and wide 

 at the heels. The sole should be slightly cupped (conclave) , not flat, 

 or bulging (convex) ; the frog large, elastic, healthy and without a 

 deep cleft; the bars prominent. Discount small, weak, brittle, flat, 

 low-heeled or over large, spongy, soft, shelly feet as well as those 



