20 CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 



though defective action seen in both light, and 

 heavy horses, is that usually observed in one of 

 the hind limbs in which the whole of the limb 

 exhibits a screw-Hke movement during progression. 

 The whole Hmb seems to slip outwards. 



The Gaskin. 



The term " gaskin " is apphed to that region 

 of the leg lying between the stifle and the hock 

 joint. It is really the lower end of the second 

 thigh, and its conformation varies, particularly so in 

 cart horses, in which it is often defective in girth. 

 The gaskin should be of good shape ; of moderate 

 length; and well furnished with muscle. In a 

 van horse it is an advantage for the gaskin to be 

 short, though this makes the animal short in the 

 stride. The term " hair-hand " is applied to a 

 horse that is spare in the gaskin. 



The Hocks. 



Great differences exist in the conformation of 

 the hocks, and they may be classified as good, 

 bad, or indifferent ; not only does the conformation 

 differ, but the action also ; and it is surprising how, 

 few horsemen pay attention to hock action, which 

 is of even greater importance than that of the fore 



