HOW TO KNOW HBI. 6T 



cided by the fulness of the parts they compose ; their 

 length, by the distance which intervenes between the 

 haunch-bone and the thigh-bone, and also by the dis- 

 tance lying between the hip and the hock. This last 

 line cannot be too long. A hock well down towards 

 the ground is a sight, that delights the horseman's eye. 

 In respect to the muscles that lie along the thigh-bone, 

 — which I overlooked when speaking of this part, — I 

 would observe, that they should be strong, and well de- 

 veloped inside as well as outside of the thigh. Thinness 

 and flatness of formation here argue decided absence 

 of strength. Indeed, when looking at the thigh from 

 behind, the muscles should absolutely swell out, giving 

 to the otherwise flat surface of the thigh-bone a rounded 

 appearance. This is the very perfection of shape. Such 

 a horse will be a sturdy goer, no matter how heavy the 

 roads. The stifle-joint should extend well forward, and 

 be placed well down. This formation removes the stifle 

 to a proper distance from the pin-bone as well as from 

 the front-side of the haunch-bone, gives greater surface- 

 room for the attachment of muscles, increases their 

 length, and decidedly improves their leverage. The 

 greater the distance between these several parts, the bet- 

 ter is the formation in every respect. Look for a large- 

 sized stifle-joint, no matter how broad it is across the 

 front, for here is one of the points of extreme action ; 

 and socket-room, as well as room for the muscles, is 

 indispensable. The wider the thigh is from the stifle to 

 the back edge of the thigh, the better. The muscular 



