90 THE HORSE. 



have the hocks too open, to be close, crooked, crook-legged, 

 and knock-kneed. 



I ought to draw attention to the fact that the angle 

 of inclination of the pasterns with the ground is less 

 acute in the case of the hind foot than in that of the fore 

 foot, and the slope of the wall less inclined ; in a word, 

 the horse is more upright in the posterior than the 

 anterior. I have verified this disposition in the East 

 upon adult horses unblemished by shoeing. 



The station is the position during which the weight of 

 the horse is supported upon the four limbs, or only 

 three. It is free ox forced. 



In the first case it is repose, with three limbs resting 

 on the soil ; the fourth member, which is always a kind- 

 leg, is bent and is placed upon the ground on the point 

 of the toe, which is very close to and sometimes even 

 touches the neighbouring foot at the appui ; this latter 

 constitutes the summit of a triangular base, of which the 

 two fore-limbs form the small side. 



It is this repose alternatively provided by the 

 posterior members which enables the animal to remain 

 on its feet for a very considerable time, without having 

 recourse to the lying down or decubitus for the recupera- 

 tion from fatigue. 



In the forced station there is no flexion of the 

 members, and each proportionally contributes to the 

 support of the weight of the body ; the equilibrium is 

 the firmest and the muscles undergo contraction, yet 

 with less fatigue than when the animal is camped with 

 the members more remote from the centre of gravity, 

 an uncomely and stiff posture which coachmen frequently 

 cause their horses to assume when pulled up, although 

 everything militates against this fashion, which provides 

 an elongated base injurious alike to the station and to 

 the resumption of the motion. 



The opposite to this last is the gathered up, which 

 draws the extremities of the centre of gravity nearer by 

 bringing them under the horse. Thus placed the horse 

 only desires to obey the rider ; it is in a position of poised 

 fatigue, which is attained by starting with the bringing 

 back of the head to the vertical position. 



All this is artificial, and is obtained by breaking in. 



