EXTERNAL COxNFORiMATION. 248 



wards the fetlock When the approximation is too great, 

 the animal is liable to cut by striking the fetlock with the 

 opposite foot, though this more frequently occurs from 

 weakness of the pasterns, or mal-position of the elbow 

 loint. The degree of width must depend on the purpo- 

 ses for which the horse is required The legs of a heavy 

 draught horse can scarerly be too far apart ; but if too wide 

 in the saddle horse, it is usually accompanied by a lumber- 

 ing action. 



Viewed from the horse's side, the leg should descend in 

 a straight line from the elbow to the feclock, with the the 

 of the foot placed immediately under the point of the 

 shoulder. If the foot stands beyond that line, the action 

 will be confined ; though such horses arc generally safe ; 

 if much behind, the centre of gravity is rcm.oved beyond 

 the pillars of support, and the animal is much more Hable 

 to fall. 



The fore arm should be large, broad, muscular, long 

 and tapering towards the knee. The strength of the fore 

 arm may be estimated by its breadth, and the extent of its 

 action by its length. In proportion as the fore arm is long, 

 will the shank be short ; a formation favourable to the 

 strength, speed, and extensive action, though where a pran- 

 cing action is desired, and utility is sacrificed to appear- 

 ance, the arm must be shorter, and the shank longer. 



The knees should be large and flat, broad from front 

 to back ; when proceeding from the straight Une of the 

 leg, the horse is called " calf-kneed." 



The pasterns are situated between the fetlock joint 

 and the top of the hoof. Experience alone among horses 

 will point out the most advantageous position of the pas- 

 terns : long pasterns confer elasticity, and are commonly 

 pleasant, easy and speedy in the gallop ; but they are weak, 

 liable to strain, and injury of the back sinews ; upright 

 pasterns are not only unsafe but unpleasant to the rider, 

 and injurious to the horse. There should be length and 

 obliquity enough to give pleasant action, and no more ; 

 but unless he is very much ill-used, a pastern a Uttle too 

 long for a saddle horse is a less evil than one a little too 

 short. All that need be said on the subject is, that weight 

 requires a short, and speed a long pastern. 



The feet should be placed firm and flat on the gr'ound, 



