60 THE PERFECT HOESE. 



the place of intelligence, and niggardliness in the place 

 of wise liberality, in the selection of their brood-mares 

 and the horse who sires their colts. I never knew 

 any business to pay, especially one demanding so much 

 of intelligence as breeding, when the sole condition 

 of success — the knowledge how to adapt means to an 

 end — was totally lacking. 



We will now pass to the consideration of 



THE HOCK. 



The principal reason, perhaps, why this is worthy of 

 the closest attention, is because it is the seat, for the most 

 part, of all the lameness that occurs in the hind-quarters ; 

 and this liability to lameness doubtless springs from the 

 fact, that the strain put upon it by the propelling muscles 

 is so sudden and heavy, that it requires to be remark- 

 ably well formed in order to remain sound. To be well 

 formed, the hock, in the first place, must be of large 

 size. No matter how symmetrical it may look to the 

 eye : if it is not large, it will never stand severe work. 

 Never be afraid or ashamed of large, coarse-looking 

 hocks. Such hocks are always beautiful to me. Re- 

 member that here the great motor sinews are; and 

 sufficient room must be given them to play freely and 

 easily, and without the least friction. Remember, that, 

 the larger the bones are which make up this joint, the 

 wider will be the surface to which the great powerful 

 ligaments which keep these bones in their places can 

 be attached, as likewise the greater will be the surface 



