THE HIND LEG. 35 



the muscles that act upon it will have more power 

 to extend the leg. And as it is by the extension 

 of the leg" that the animal is projected in the 

 gallop and leap, it is of importance that the hock 

 be broad, and the point projecting backward, in 

 the horse wanted for quick work. The hock 

 should likewise in the same animal be well bent 

 under him. When the hocks lean towards each 

 other, the horse is said to be " cat hammed," or 

 " cow hocked." It is most common in ponies ; 

 but setting aside its ugliness, it is not a serious 

 defect : indeed it is commonly thought to make 

 the animal a good trotter. It is certain, that a 

 hock bent outwards is more objectionable, for the 

 weight of the carcase is then like a person placed 

 between two stools. Below the hock, the back 

 tendons and the pasterns should be the same as 

 in the fore leg. 



Short as this account of the conformation of 

 the horse is, it might have been still shorter, for 

 it is a fact, that the existence of one good point 

 is in general sufficient to ensure the possession or 

 another or others. A good shoulder, for instance, 

 rarely goes without good withers, a deep chest, 

 and a well-turned fore leg : but as it sometimes 

 does, I have briefly particularized all that is com- 



