254 HIND QUARTERS. 



to the more powerful hind leg. In these the six joints are all 

 springs, as the hind shank receives the weight from the thigh 

 bone a good deal out of the perpendicular. The hock joint is 

 quite as important as the knee, is even more complicated in its 

 structure, and far more liable to be strained. It is therefore very 

 important that the hock should be deep and projecting, and 

 perfectly straight in the line of action, as this gives an important 

 mechanical advantage, and keeps the tendons free of friction on 

 the bones. Although the hind legs do not support so much weight as 

 the fore ones, and any defect in them is not so dangerous to the 

 rider, they are the propellers that send the whole body along, 

 and in a horse for heavy draft, or racing of any kind, they are 

 even more important than the sustaining fore legs. 



HIND QUARTERS. 



GIO. — In judging of the power of the hind quarters look for 

 enormous strength at the top. Begin at the loins and let every- 

 thing gradually taper to lightness at the other end of the lever. 

 Look for consistency in this descent. The weakest link of a 

 chain is the measure of its strength. The weight of a hundred 

 strong links will only help to break it, if they are connected by 

 one weak one. Thei-e is no use in a horse being weighted with 

 powerful muscles in twenty places, if there is some weak point 

 that will give way when the strong muscles are put in force. 

 Never forget which end of the lever it is that vou want stronsr 

 and which you want light. Never expect a horse to be either fast 

 or strong if his loins are weak, nor expect him to be weak 

 because his shank bones are light. 





