18 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



incalculably depreciated in both value and usefulness. Good 

 and true action is very frequently, but not invariably, asso- 

 ciated with perfect symmetry ; but the possession of it may be 

 accepted as evidence of fairly equal conformation ; for defective 

 or slovenly action can only arise in a sound animal from an un- 

 equal distribution of physical power, or from want of stamina 

 or pluck. In many horses, good bold action is an evidence of 

 power, and the heavier the horse the better he should move in 

 both walk and trot. 



An educated ear can distinguish a horse possessing good 

 action, the same writer truly remarks, when the animal is 

 travelling on a hard road, by the regular succession of sonorous 

 thumps made by its feet one, two, three, four. In a walk, 

 which is essentially the draught-horse's pace, each of the four 

 feet should be brought down perfectly flat the heels, toes, 

 and quarters reaching the ground at the same instant, the fore 

 ones with the toe and heel in a line with the body, neither 

 turned in nor out, the hinder ones perhaps slightly turned out, 

 Straight and full extension of the fore limbs is desirable, rather 

 than excessive elevation of the feet by high knee and shoulder 

 action. The movement of the hind extremities should be free 

 and loose, the feet being carried far under the body by perfect 

 flexion of the hocks, which, in advancing, should, in turn, have 

 a slightly inward tendency ; while the toe, at the same time, 

 should be as slightly turned outwards. Defective and wide 

 hind-leg action, usually arising from malformed hocks possess- 

 ing only limited mobility, is most especially to be guarded 

 against; horses with round bowed-hock action always wear 

 unsatisfactorily. Following the extension of each limb in 

 turn, the corresponding foot ought to be boldly and firmly 

 planted upon the ground. 



The least sign of weakness, faltering, or unequal movement 

 during progression may be regarded with grave suspicion ; and 

 it is much safer to refuse an animal where such reasonable 



