26 



STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 



of foot are all more or less hereditary characters and are asso- 

 ciated with a corresponding instinct. A colt is not likely to be 

 endowed by inheritance with an instinct to trot and at the same 

 time inherit a strncture which is only adapted to galloping. 

 Horses are occasionally seen, however, which, though bred prop- 

 erly, manifest a disposition to do what they are physically inca- 

 pable of doing. Others seem striicturally qualified for superior 

 performance of some one sort, but fall far short of doing anything 

 remarkable, because they do not know how. Hence, we know 



Fig. 20. — Knee-sprung 

 or over on the knees. 



Fig. 21.— Calf-kneed. 



Fig. 22.— Too straight 

 pastern. 



that the highest order of performance can only be attained when 

 the inherited instinctive tendencies are in line with the horse's 

 inherited physical development. 



Schooling. — Horses, like men, reflect in their attainments: 

 First, their inherent capabilities, and, second, what has been made 

 of them. All the graduates of a given academic or gymnasium 

 course are not equals, either in their mental or physical accom- 

 plishments. Neither are all those who have been deprived of 

 any educational advantages destined to a common level or rank 

 in society. Some from the latter class may even reach a higher 

 rung on the commercial or social ladder than others from the 



