262 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



there are some authors who excuse it, and even class this form of hock 

 among the good conformations. We can only admit one thing or the 

 other : either the width is an absolute beauty or it is a defect. If the 

 former of these opinions be adopted, it is plain that the same qualities 

 cannot be attributed to the narrow hock as to the wide hock, which is 

 exactly the reverse. This is, nevertheless, what the authors of whom 

 we speak have done, unknown to themselves, although the inconsistency 

 of such a theory is at once apparent. 



The width of the 4 hock, in reality (we suppose it well directed and 

 well opened), implies : 



1. The separation of the calcanean cord, which, in its turn, depends 

 upon both the volume of the posterior muscles and the length of the 

 calcaneus (superior width). 



2. The antero-posterior diameter of the tibio-astragaloid articula- 

 tion and, here again, the length of the calcaneus (middle width). 



3. Finally, the antero-posterior development of the inferior row 

 of tarsal bones (inferior width), which is tantamount to saying that a 

 wide hock commands a well-muscled leg ; a well-directed tarsal cord 

 in relation to the arm of its lever, which is, in addition, powerful of 

 itself on account of its great length ; large articular surfaces securing, 

 consequently, much amplitude to the movements of extension and 

 flexion ; finally, a solid union with the metatarsal column, whose width 

 is evidently correlative. 



The slender, narrow hock presents a conformation precisely the 

 opposite. It is, therefore, for inverse reasons, defective, which is 

 indeed confirmed by observation. A strange sophism would be com- 

 mitted, unknown to himself, by the man who would argue the useful- 

 ness of so powerful a hock associated with a weak croup and bad loins. 1 

 The solidity of one region, it is true, can sometimes exaggerate the 

 feebleness of another ; but this is not the case in the example under 

 consideration. If such a croup or such loins transmit the impulsion 

 badly, what will the impulsion be with a narrow hock? The two 

 defects will be superadded to each other without any chance of compen- 

 sation ! 



Thickness. The thickness of the hock is measured from one 

 lateral face to another. It is appreciated by examining the region in 

 front, behind, or obliquely, if one has more experience and a more prac- 

 tised eye. Like the width, we must view it above, in the middle, and 

 below, in order to assure ourselves that there is a proper correlation 



1 Merche, Nouveau Trait des formes extrieures du cheval, p. 447. 



