SOUND AND UNSOUND HORSES 



the thigh is short, it makes the buttock 

 look too plump. Another very impor- 

 tant matter is width and thickness. The 

 first implies measurement across and 

 beneath the hip joint, whilst thickness 

 is judged from a back view. Care must 

 be taken not to be misled by mere 

 rotundity of buttocks, probably most of 

 which is fat. Sound muscular develop- 

 ment is not difficult to tell. 



Flatness, inequality, or blemishing are 

 to be looked for when purchasing. 



The Stifle. — Here, freedom of move- 

 ment and absence of wasted muscles 

 is necessary. In colts, particular care 

 must be devoted to this region, as 

 youth no doubt renders them pre- 

 disposed to laxation. 



The Leg and Hock. — The leg ex- 

 tends between the stifle and hock. Its 

 long part consists of the tibia and 

 fibula. 



The length of the leg is equal to that of 



33 



