122 HORSEMANSHIP. 



to increase towards the sinews, tliej may prove of little 

 consequence. 



The pasterns to be strong and free from any enlarge- 

 ment whatever, as ring-bones, or ossified cartilage. The 

 pasterns should not be too upright to the feet, because 

 the action is too abrupt, and such horses are more sub- 

 ject to foot-founder. When the pasterns are long, and 

 placed in a very sloping direction, the action of the 

 horse will be very elastic and pleasant, but the sinews 

 are very weak, and such horses break down readily 

 with any unexpected or extra exertion. The feet to be 

 round and full, but not too large, perfectly free from 

 sand-cracks, and of equal sides. As long as sand-cracks 

 exist, they are fatal to the safety of the horse, because 

 the sudden and violent concussion of the foot upon a 

 hard road at a rapid pace expands the openings in the 

 hoof, and the collapse that instantaneously results some- 

 times incloses the fine vessels or nerves of the sensible 

 foot in the clefts. This result produces lameness and 

 inflammation; and it is also impossible to keep the cracks 

 free from fine sand or dirt. The hoofs of the feet should 

 make an angle of about 45° with the soles. The heels 

 should be very open, having the frogs sound and free 

 from thrush or fracture. If one side of the fros does 



