SOUND AND UNSOUND HORSES 



appear in front of the carpus, above 

 it or below it. Freedom from blemishes, 

 thickness, width, are essential points of 

 beauty. The skin covering this region 

 ought to be fine, whilst beneath it 

 there should be no bulky feel (clean 

 knees). 



The distance of the knee from the 

 ground necessarily depends upon the 

 length of the radial (fore' arm) and 

 cannon bones. In typical shire horses, 

 the knee is very low down. 



Thickness {i-e., width from inner to 

 outer side), gives a stouter support to 

 the body, and diminishes the effects of 

 concussion, consequently renders the 

 animal less liable to splint, etc. 



Width or Depth {i.e., front to back), 

 also increases the articulating area, 

 thus giving greater stability. 



A plumb line passing from the 

 elbow joint ought to symmetri = 

 cally divide the fore arm, knee, 



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