CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 17 



SO with the latter ; therefore it is necessary, when 

 selecting an animal, to compare both pasterns. The 

 degree of obliquity in the pasterns should vary in 

 accordance with the nature of the work that the 

 animal has to perform, the weight he has to carry, 

 and the speed at which he will be required to travel. 

 For speed a long pastern is desirable, but for 

 weight, a broad, thick pastern, of medium length, is 

 the most suitable. 



The Foot. 



No matter what variety of horse it be, sound, 

 well-formed feet are essentials. The fore feet are 

 much more frequently affected with disease than 

 the hind ones, owing to the fact that they are com- 

 pelled to perform a greater degree of concussion, 

 and they have to support more weight than the 

 hind ones. The position of the limbs in relation 

 to other parts of the body has, unquestionably, an 

 influence upon the wearing of the feet. The pre- 

 servation of the feet constitutes one of the first 

 essentials of horse management, and a good groom, 

 together with a good shoeing-smith, may largely 

 contribute towards this end. Feet that are con- 

 stantly shod with leathers, and pads, are not good 

 ones, and these artificial agents materially interfere 



