THE FORE LIMBS. 77 



that is very deep and very broad from side to side in 

 order that it may be well provided with buffer 

 material as described in paragraph 11. It must not 

 be narrow from before backwards at its lower part, 

 or the horse will be what is known as ' tied in at 

 the knee.' 



65. — All the bones above the knee being clothed 

 with muscle, we have to see that these are large and 

 in good tone. By referring to Fig. 8, E, we see at a 

 glance what the form of the parts must take in per- 

 fect development. From the knee downwards, how- 

 ever, we have for the most part bone not so 

 clothed, but clearly defined in outline. The meta- 

 carpal must be stout in all cases ; very broad from 

 side to side, and of good size from behind forwards. 

 The powerful tendons at the back of it must 

 also have the same general outline as the bone in 

 front of them, and they must stand out in clear re- 

 lief from the bone. The outlines of the bone and 

 tendon cannot be too distinct. The suspensary 

 ligament which is an unyielding structure attached 

 to the back of the metacarpal bone and again to the 

 back and sides of the phalanges and so slings the 

 fetlock joint, is well seen between the metacarpal 

 bone and the tendon, and can be felt in its lower 

 third above the fetlock joint. 



^^. — The pasterns must be broad and massive. 

 They must have plenty of length in the race horse, 

 and be rather upright when the horse is standing, 

 or only walking, in order that the fetlock joint may 



