Part I. PerfeSi Farrier. 3 1 



the chief qualities required in a fine and delicate 

 Horfe of Manage. 



Legs Arched. 



The next Imperfection of the Legs is, when they 

 are Arched, which is, when the Horfe being in his 

 natural fituation hath his Knees bent forward, and 

 his whole Leg frameth a kind of Arch or Bow. It 

 proceedeth from exceflive labour, which hath can- 

 fed the Nerves or Back-finews to fhrink up, fo that 

 the Legs remain arched, and tremble beneath them 

 when they are made to flop, after they have been 

 rid a little. Such Horfes are not absolutely ufe- 

 lefs, becaufe they may work notwithftanding of 

 it. Spanijh Horfes are for the molt part arched in 

 their Legs, as they are brought old from Spain, be- 

 caufe they always Fetter them in the Stable. So 

 likewife in Barbary, they never make ufe of a Hal- 

 ter about the Head or Neck, in the Stable or at 

 Grafs, but Shackle their Legs, and faften them to 

 Stakes placed in the Ground. 



Some Horfes are foaled with arched Legs, and 

 are not much the worfe for Service. But I would 

 not buy a Horfe with this Imperfection but at an 

 eafie rate, and unlefs I were fure that his Legs were 

 fo naturally, and not occafioned by Labour or Fa- 

 tigue. 



Having obferved the three preceding Imperfecti- 

 ons ^ viz. whether a Horfe be ftrait upon his Mem- 

 bers, long.jointed, or have arched Legs, you mult 

 next pafs your Hand along the Back-finew of the 

 Fore-leg, from the very bending of the Knee to the 

 Paftern-joint, and you fhall obferve if the Sinew 

 be large, firm, and at a good diftance from the 

 Shank- bone (the broadeft and flatteft Legs being 

 belt) and that there be no hardnefs to ftop your 

 Hand, nor no moveable Jelly, to flip between your 

 Fingers. There are fome Horfes, who although they 

 have the Back-finew of their Fore- legs fomewhat fe- 



parate 



