94 THE STUD. 



likely to do so, as the position of such a leg 

 takes off in a very great degree tension on the 

 sinews, and such horses rarely, in stable phrase, 

 " break down." 



A horse with naturally somewhat bent knees 

 is for service greatly to be preferred to the one 

 whose knee inclines backwards. Indeed, if I had 

 a colt with knees standing in the latter way, how- 

 ever promising or however highly bred he might 

 be, I would sell him for harness, for, as a race- 

 horse or hunter, I should have no more con- 

 fidence in him than if his legs were made of deal. 

 If I was shown such a colt for riding purposes, 

 I should not look at him twice, and, though sound, 

 I would reject him at once at any price ; even for 

 harness I should dislike him. 



In looking at a crooked-legged horse, the pur- 

 chaser need never be deceived as to whether the 

 mode of standing proceeds from natural formation 

 or work : if natural, it is impossible for the horse 

 to put it straight, for nature does not make 

 yielding crooked knees. When they have a tremu- 

 lous motion, and can be put straight, they are 

 in that state from the effect of work : therefore, 

 on being assured the horse " was foaled so," let 

 the buyer hold up one of the fore legs ; if natur- 

 ally crooked, crooked the one he rests on will 

 and must remain ; if, on the contrary, the leg he 



