POINTS. 411 



The above rule applies with equal stringency to both legs, — ^to the 

 hind limb below the hock as well as the more forward member from the 

 knee downward. Each should be thin, when viewed from the front. 

 Neither can well be too deep, when seen from the side. Both should 

 appear solid, and each should feel almost of metallic hardness. The 

 pastern-joint should not present a level surface, when viewed laterally; 

 and as it proceeds downward to join the foot, a graduated enlargement 

 should exist. 



Much comment is usually indulged upon the horse's pastern. The 

 degree in which this part may or may not slope, has been authoritatively 

 defined. The reader will best judge of these opinions, by considering 

 the purposes for which the pastern was created. Its intention is to 

 endow the tread with elasticity. The fetlock of a racer, wheif the ani- 

 mal trots, may be seen to touch the earth every time the weight rests 

 upon the foot : nevertheless, the thorough-bred has, during the conten- 

 tion, to endure the very excess of action. There must, therefore, be 

 something erroneous in the popular judgment which connects weakness 

 with the motion of this part, or no rac^r could ever reach the goal ; and 

 if a quadruped does occasionally break down, the likelihood of such a 

 misfortune is not regulated or to be foretold by the pliability of the 

 pastern-joint. However, that the reader may estimate the value of the 

 prejudice, various pasterns, designed according to the general phrase- 

 ology, have been submitted to his inspection. 



To enable the purchaser to arrive at a sound decision, it is necessary 

 to state that the inclination of this region is governed by the major 



flexor tendons which are situated underneath or behind them. Their 

 slanting, therefore, is regulated by no peculiarity in the forms of the 

 bones themselves, but is controlled by and dependent upon the condition 

 of another structure. 4- short, upright pastern, if it can bear any evi- 

 dence at all, testifies to a stubborn and unyielding state of the great 



