SELECTING THE HORSE. 



17 



is divided into three equal parts by vertical lines, one of them will 

 fall at the point of the shoulder-blade, and the other at the point of 

 the hips. The dotted lines show that the fore-feet stand directly 

 under the joints of the shoulder, and the hind feet imder the hip- 

 joint. The off hind foot is shown thrown out of this line. The 

 next five engravings show the fore-legs in false positions, as 

 viewed from the side. When one of the fore-feet is kept forward, 

 as in figure 12, it indicates navicular 

 disease, one of the worst and most 

 incurable ailments that can affect a 

 horse's foot. If both the fore-feet are 

 held in that position, it justifies a 

 suspicion that the horse has some time 

 been foundered. Figure 13 shows a 

 " sheep-kneed " fore-leg, and figure 14 

 a pastern too long and oblique. Fig- 

 ure 15 shows a hoof too straight and 

 the foot brought under the body. 

 Figure 16 is a knee-sprung leg. When 

 a horse stands with all its legs tucked 

 under its body, it has been quite 

 knocked to pieces by abuse and hard 

 work. Figure 17 is a pair of cor- 

 rect fore-legs and feet, viewed from 

 the front. They are well spread apart 

 at the breast, the feet point dkectly 

 forward, and the whole leg is set 

 vertically under the shoulder-joint. 

 Figure 18 shows a bad pair of fore- 

 legs, which accompany a naiTow chest 

 and weak constitution. Figure 19 

 shows a similarly contracted chest and 

 knock-knees. The inner sides of such 

 fee# wear off more rapidly than the 

 outside, and the whole conformation is weak and objectionable. 

 The "pigeon-toed" feet, figure 20, are equally bad. They are sure 

 to interfere, or cut the leg with the other, and no manner of shoeing 

 can overcome this difficulty. Figure 21 shows a pair of perfect hind 

 legs. A line falling from the level of the hip joints, would intersect 

 the hocks and heels. Figure 22 shows a pair of "cow-hocked ' 

 hind legs, and figure 23 a pair of hind legs, with the feet shaped so 

 that the greater part of the wear comes on the outside, the hocks 

 straddle outwardly. With the f^et straight on the ground, this is no 



Fig. 17.— GOOD FOKE-LEGS. 



