THE FORE-LEG. 55 



back from the bone, in order to increase their leverage 

 power. They should also be thick, as large sinews are 

 always connected ^vith large muscles. They should be 

 capable of being felt as so many distinct and separate 

 cords, nmning from the muscles of the arm to the fet- 

 lock. If they are surrounded with soft, elastic, puffy 

 material, they will not stand much work. The hard, 

 thick, why, and distinct sinews are the right sort for 

 tear and wear. 



The soft, gummy, round condition of the legs, may 

 be owing to an original defect in the constitution, or it 

 may be caused by a temporaiy state of ill health. In 

 the first case it will scarcely admit of a remedy, and 

 it is a veiT bad sign of the lasting qualities of the 

 animal. All the joints will be liable to disease, and 

 the sinews are not to be depended on for fast and se- 

 vere work. In the second case, however, there is more 

 hope. If we can arrive at the cause of the deviation 

 from health, there is every prospect of a satisfactory 

 result from a rational treatment. But as this point 

 faUs more immediately under the cognizance of the 

 veterinary practitioner, it woidd be foreign to my pm*- 

 pose to enter upon its various details. Still there is 

 one view of it which is often overlooked, and which is 

 so very important, that I must place it before my read- 

 ers, by quoting the following most excellent remarks 

 from Hany Hieover's treatise on '"Condition" — " Swell- 

 ed legs," says he, " are much oftener attributed to 



