24 



trot him along* This is the way to conceal lameness if there he 

 any* 



The motion from the shoulder should he hold and decided, the 

 head well and evenly carried, the knee fairly hent, the feet placed 

 fairly and firmly on the ground, and the toes in a direct line with the 

 body, neither inclining to one side or the other. The hind-legs 

 should he well gathered under the body, the toes fairly raised from 

 the ground, and the hind feet spread pretty accurately in the impress 

 of the fore-feet. If they pass beyond this the very unpleasant noise 

 termed " hammer and pincers," is heard. This is caused by the toe 

 of the hind-foot striking against the shoe of the fore-foot, and though 

 it may be prevented while the horse is being shown, by allowing the 

 toe of the hind-foot to project a little before the shoe, which of course 

 deadens the sound, yet it soon wears down when in actual work, and 

 the disagreeable noise begins again. When the toes of the hind-feet 

 drag the ground, disease in the hocks is indicated : an irregular 

 carriage, or dropping of the head, indicates lameness. Very high 

 action is objectionable : it wears and bruises the feet on hard roads ; 

 it is often very unpleasant for the rider, and (especially in horses with 

 broad feet and soft heels), it causes the speedy cut from the foot 

 striking against the inside of the opposite one. Very low action is 

 equally objectionable ; the toe has a tendency to strike any stone or 

 accidental elevation of the ground, and even if the horse does not 

 fall down, the hoof is worn nearly to the quick, and not seldom per- 

 manently injured. Some horses are apt in trotting. to throw their 

 feet very much outward or inward ; either mode of going is 

 unpleasant to the eye, and the latter is unsafe, but it is often found 

 in fast trotters. 



If the hind-legs are like those in Figure 7, Plate V., or like 

 Figure 5, on the same Plate, the action in the trot will be 

 ungraceful, and by no means easy for the rider. These faults are 

 not uncommon in fast horses, and though they may not indicate 

 unsoundness, yet they show a tendency to spavin and thorough-pin. 



When the fore-legs incline a little forward at the knee, or are 

 readily bent at a slight touch behind the knee, (a peculiarity which 



