30 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES 



part. Too much attention can hardly be given to this joint 

 as it is one of the most important in the whole frame. 



50. Hind Cannons — Wide, Short, Clean. The hind can- 

 nons should be comparatively short as such a conformation 

 gives the hind leg a longer stride while at the same time 

 allowing the feet to keep under the body more. They should 

 also be wide for that gives better attachment to the tendons 

 and especially if the width continue just below the hock it 

 materially strengthens that part. When the support for the 

 bones of the hock is slight and narrow at the top of the can- 

 non there is greater susceptibility to curbs on account of the 

 weakness of +hat region. The fetlock joint should be of 

 normal size with good width and particularly free from any 

 pufl&ness indicating windgalls. 



51. Hind Pasterns — Sloping, Strong. The slope of the 

 hind pasterns is not of such importance as that of the front 

 pastern for the reason that it is seldom that this part will be 

 found too straight in light horses. There is less concussion 

 for the hind foot to stand, consequently there is less need for 

 the pastern '.o be very sloping. The pasterns should be of 

 medium size and length so that they may be strong. Free- 

 dom from thick, coarse skin and hair is desirable for in the 

 instance of such there is less susceptibility to scratches. 



52. Hind Feet — Dense, Rounded. The hind feet should 

 have the characteristics that have been described in the 

 reference to the desirable points of the fore feet. It may be 

 noted in addition that the hind feet are more inclined to 

 become narrow in front and not have the nicely rounded sur- 

 face that is desirable in a good foot. The sides of the foot 

 viewed from in front very often appear to have shrunken 

 some, making a ridge down the center of the foot from the 

 hoof head to the toe and leaving the sides flat. Narrowness 

 at the hoof head usually accompanies this. The foot should 

 be dense in structure, mediui in size, with strong, wide heel 

 and full front. 



