CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 19 



instance, the toes may be turned inwards, or out- 

 wards, or the animal may be what is termed a 

 " paddler." Some horses are continually digging 

 their toes into the ground, and this renders them 

 very Hable to stumble. What is called 'Agoing 

 upon the toe" or the ^' heels," is usually indicative 

 of disease, and anyone observing this, should have 

 nothing to do with such a horse, unless it be at 

 a trifling price, for work on the land, etc. 



The Hind Limbs. 



Like the fore, the hind hmbs differ in their 

 position, in relation to the body. They may be 

 placed too far backwards, or too far forwards ; so, 

 this has a considerable influence in the durability 

 of the Hmbs. If a horse is standing at repose 

 and the feet opposite to one another, the toe should 

 not be in front of a line falling from the stifle joint. 

 In racehorses it is a distinct advantage to have 

 the toes as far behind this line as possible. In every 

 case, the toes should point directly forwards, free 

 from outward, or inward incline. If the toes turn 

 outwards, this brings the hocks too close together, 

 whereas, if they turn inwards, the hocks are thrown 

 too much from beneath the quarters, and the action 

 becomes a very inferior one. A very frequent. 



