84 THE STUD. 



AILMENTS OF THE LIMBS AND FEET. 



As that part of the limb most connected with 

 the body we will take the hip-joint ; not as to 

 whether a horse may or may not be purchased if 

 lame in this part, for such a question would 

 answer itself; but there is a deformity sometimes 

 existing here, arising at times from outward form- 

 ation but in most cases from injury to the part. 

 This, in stable phrase, is termed " down on the 

 hip." 



On standing behind some horses an evident 

 depression of one hip may be perceived. If of 

 long standing, and the horse has been at work, 

 and has always been sound, it is most probable he 

 will ever continue so at the same kind of labour, 

 or perhaps at any other ; if, therefore, the de- 

 formity is not more unsightly than the purchaser 

 can put up with, and the price is a temptation, 

 such a horse may safely be purchased. Indeed, 

 for double harness, where the deformity may be 

 hid by driving him with that side next the pole, 

 I should be greatly tempted to take a fine horse 

 at a proper reduced price. And, in fact, in many 

 horses considerably down on one hip, the ob- 

 jection is scarcely visible when standing by their 

 side ; it is only by scrutinising both hips at once 

 on standing behind that it becomes apparent. It 

 is perhaps as safe a drawback on being perfect as 

 any I know of in the horse. 



