450 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



particular soil ; they will be, on the contrary, absolutely unsuitable for 

 the saddle or other service requiring speed. 



2d. A vertical line, lowered from the articulation of the elbow, 

 should divide the knee, the canon, and the fetlock in their centre and fall 

 a little posterior to the heels (ij, Fig. 147, and Fig. 149 [1]). 



This classical line, spoken of by all authors, shows the direction 

 of the inferior part of the member, and bespeaks in some manner the 

 axis of the knee and of the fetlock. 



If the knee projects in front of this vertical line, the horse is said 

 to be knee-sprung, over in the knees (Fig. 150). 



If, on the contrary, the knee is carried backward, it is qualified 

 hollow, effaced, or sheep-like (Fig. 151). 



If, on the other hand, this line falls too far from the heels, the horse 

 is long- or low-jointed (Fig. 153). 



If, finally, it meets the heels or the anterior parts of the foot, he is 

 called short- or straight-jointed (Fig. 152). 



Knuckling is only a higher degree 

 of the last deviation of the metacarpo- 

 phalangal articulation. It is charac- 

 terized by a more or less marked prom- 

 inence of this articulation in front of 

 the line of axis. 



FIG. 150. 



FIG. 151. 



FIG. 152. 



FIG. 153. 



In the articles on the knee, fetlock, and pastern we have examined 

 in detail all these vices of conformation and will not repeat them here. 



Let us only say that the straightness of the anterior column, from 

 the knee to the fetlock, is a condition of strength indispensable in all 

 cases, especially in horses which are destined for saddle-work. Any 

 other direction having for its effect the formation of a broken column 

 of support which, in a physiological state, is disposed to act normally 

 between two opposing forces that tend to incurvate it, is necessarily 



