THE FOXHOUND'S FEET 



fundamental principles of their anatomy have 

 not been altered; but can we say the same with 

 regard to the forefeet and pasterns of the modem 

 foxhound of standard type ? A very slight 

 knowledge of anatomy obliges us to answer the 

 question in the negative, and for those who wish to 

 know why, we will endeavour to explain. 



In nine out of ten hounds, such as we see 

 winning honours at Peterborough to-day, we find 

 the pastern short and upright, and the foot round 

 and contracted. In another chapter we have 

 stated that it is an incontrovertible fact that 

 different hunting countries require different types 

 of horses. Seeing that horse and hound are 

 used for the same purpose, i.e., crossing a country 

 at speed, the anatomical requirements of the 

 one are equally applicable to the other. Certainly 

 the hound has only his own weight to carry, 

 whereas the hunter carries a rider, but this does 

 not alter the question. 



In the Shires and other hunting countries of 

 more or less similar nature, the hound with short, 

 upright pasterns and contracted feet is in general 

 favour, and its supporters affirm that such feet 

 and pasterns stand wear and tear better than the 

 more open and natural foot, above which is a 

 fairly long and oblique pastern. Bearing m 

 mind what we have said about the horse, let us 

 see what an acknowledged expert has to say in 

 the matter. Mr. T. F. Dale, in his book, ' ' Fox 

 hunting in the Shires," says with regard to the 

 best stamp of horse for the grass countries, " I 

 have myself a great Hking for long pasterns, even 

 so long as to be regarded as weak, and an equal 

 prejudice for work in the grass countries against 

 pasterns in the least degree short and upright. 

 I believe that long pasterns, from the ease and 



131 



