466 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



POSTERIOR MEMBER — Continued. 



Regular Axes. 



A vertical line drawn 

 from the point of the 

 buttock should pass 

 through the median 

 plane of the inferior 

 part of the member 

 from the point of the 

 hock to the foot, and 

 leave between the two 

 hoofs an interval al- 

 most equal to the width 

 of the fetlock, taken 

 from one lateral face 

 to the other. 



Member viewed Behind. 

 Irregular Axes. 



Disadvantages. 



If the member, as a whole, 

 is situated on the outer side 

 of this line, or if simply the -i 

 separation of the hoofs is too 

 great, the horse is too open. 



{ Width of the base of support and 

 stability of the equilibrium : frequently 

 outward deviation of the hock and the 

 heels; slow and ungraceful gaits in 

 consequence of the rocking; standing 

 on the internal quarter of the hoofs. 

 Sometimes, indicative of the width of 

 the chest, of the loins, of the croup, and 

 of the development of the muscles ; at 

 other times, indicative of a narrow 



[ pelvis and feebly-developed muscles. 



f Strain of the external ligaments of 



If it concerns the region | the hook ; overloading of the internal 



of the hock alone, the horse -i parts; inward deviation of the toe; 



is bow-legged. standing upon the external quarter ; 



' I ■■ 



I 



■j If it is that of the toe, the f 

 I subject is outbow-footed. \ 



Conversely : 



When the member, as a 

 whole, is situated inside of 

 the vertical line, or when the 

 separation between the two 

 hoofs is too small, the animal 

 is close or narroiv. 



If this is true of the hock 

 alone, the latter is close, cow- 

 hocked, and the subject is 

 close- hammed. 



If it is the region of the / 

 toe, the horse is cross-footed. \ 



gaits ungraceful ; impulsion less direct. 



Same evil consequences as in the 

 anterior member. 



Narrow base 'of support; unstable 

 equilibrium ; indications of narrow- 

 ness of the chest, of the loins, and of 

 the croup ; feeble development of the 

 muscular system ; members unsteady ; 

 weakened foothold. The hor.se is dis- 

 posed to interfere. 



Outward deviation of the foot; un- 

 graceful fiexion of the canon ; impul- 

 sion less direct and less powerful ; slow 

 gaits. 



Same disadvantages as in the ante- 

 rior member. 



B. — Lying Down or Decubitus. 



These names are given to the attitude which the animal takes when 

 he rests, and in which the trunk is placed directly in relation with the 

 ground. 



We often see horses sleep while standing, even when harnessed. 

 They usually stand in such a manner that either one foot, or the two 

 of the same diagonal biped, are rested, or bear less weight, and remain 

 in this position until the supporting columns are replaced by those 

 which previously supported the body. 



In general, horses do not lie down much, unless they are very tired. 

 Yet, we have known a mare with very flat feet which laid down before 

 eating: as soon as she entered the stable. 



A certain preparation is necessary for the horse to execute the de- 

 cubitus : It consists in drawing together the four feet under the body 

 in such a manner as to diminish the extent of the base of support. 

 Then the animal lowers the head, flexes the knees until they touch the 

 ground, and gently allows himself to fall over upon the side, the right 

 or the left. 



