44 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



her adaptation of means to an end, the good old dame 

 is wiser than a whole college of surgeons. For further 

 remarks upon the subject of the feet, I refer the reader 

 to the division of this book upon shoeing. 



We have now examined the structure of the fore-leg 

 in detail ; but, before Ave part with it, let us contemplate 

 the matter, for a moment, as a whole. When examined 

 from the front, the space or distance between the fore- 

 legs should be the same from the breast to the ground. 

 A horse so constructed will rarely be a " speedy cutter " 

 or a "brusher," or go any other way than in a clean, 

 handsome, straight-forward manner. When viewed 

 from the side, the leg should be, as nearly as possible, 

 perpendicular. If it inclines backward very much, too 

 much weight will be thrown in front of it ; while, if it 

 be pointed out forward, the weight from above will fall 

 too heavily upon the back tendons, and injuries be the 

 result. I agree perfectly with Carson when he says, 

 '' The leg should drop perfectly straight from its junc- 

 tion with the shoulder to the ground ; and the point of 

 the toe should come as near as possible to a straight line 

 under the point of the shoulder." 



The elbow, the location of which I have already de- 

 scribed, should be examined; for it is by no means 

 an insignificant member. The danger is, that it is likely 

 to be pointed too far in or out. If turned in, it will 

 chafe against the saddle-girths and belly-bands, and 

 thus be a source of constant annoyance to the owner. 

 It also compels a vicious knee-action, and to the turning- 



