92 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



and shortness below the knee are always associated with the best 

 development. A fair girth at the smallest point is 9| inches. 

 A large girth, however, does not always indicate proper develop- 

 ment, as the leg may be coarse and out of proportion. 



The />//<?/, or, as it is often called, the pastern joint, must be 

 smooth and deep, with no roughness. It is from the tuft of hair 

 which grows at the back of this joint that the name " fetlock" 

 (feetlock) is derived. 



The pastern is an important part of the leg. It should be 

 fairly long, be perfectly smooth and free from extra flesh, and 

 stand at an angle of about 45 degrees. At this slope concussion 

 is received in perhaps the least degree and with least injury to 

 the foot and leg. There is some difference of opinion among 

 horsemen on the length of pastern, some preferring one reason- 

 ably long and others one of medium length. The slope is more 

 important than the length, but no doubt better feet prevail where 

 the pastern leans toward length rather than shortness. Sidebones, 

 ringbones, and other foot troubles are most prevalent with short, 

 straight-pasterned draft horses. As the horse naturally places the 

 foot in action, the pressure first comes on the frog and is then 

 distributed over the rest of the foot. If the pastern is straight, 

 the toe and front of the foot strike first, and thus the concussion 

 is aggravated. 



The foot ought to be large, the hoof dense and preferably dark 

 in color, the sole concave, and the frog large. There is an old 

 saying, " No foot, no horse." Sound feet are absolutely essential 

 to comfort and efficiency of work. The interior of the foot con- 

 tains very sensitive nerves and membranes. If the foot is too 

 small and contracted, if the frog is too narrow and low, inflam- 

 mation of the membranes will frequently follow. The ample foot, 

 wide on top and behind, well supported at the heel and carried 

 true in movement, turning neither in nor out at the toe, is least 

 likely to be troubled with disease. 



The body should be short on top, long below, broad along the 

 back, with the ribs strongly arched and of great depth. A long 

 back indicates weakness of both constitution and draft power, 

 while a short, deeply muscled back means strength. Ribs well 

 sprung and deep show capacity of the internal organs, indicate a 



