THE HORSE. 29 



his hocks of considerable size, while his cannon- 

 bone, situated between the knee and the fet- 

 lock, is short, although presenting a broad ap- 

 pearance when viewed laterally. 



On each front leg, at the back of the knee, 

 there is a bony projection, giving attachments 

 to the flexor muscles, and affording protection 

 to certain tendons. The Orientals set a great 

 value upon the presence of this bone, believing 

 that it favors muscular action, and the larger 

 this prominence is the more highly do they 

 prize the animal that possesses it. The pasterns 

 of the high-bred horse are of medium length, 

 and very elastic, while the foot is circular and 

 of moderate size. 



In the preceding description, the author has 

 endeavored to make plain to the reader the 

 most important points to be observed in both 

 the high-bred and the low-bred horse, and has 

 given the most pronounced characteristics of 

 each. 



prancing action is esteemed a beauty, and in which utility is, to a 

 certain degree, sacrificed to appearance, must not be too long in 

 the arm. If he is long there, he will be proportionally short in 

 the leg; and although this is an undoubted excellence, whether 

 speed or continuance is regarded, the short leg will not give the 

 grand and imposing action which fashion may require. In addi- 

 tion to this, a horse with short legs may not have quite so easy an 

 action as another whose length is in the shank rather than in the 

 arms." W. Youatt. 



