40 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



or coming down with the heel first is not at all 

 uncommon. This defect of action is not only 

 likely to cause bruising of the heels, but subjects 

 the tendons and ligaments at the lower and back 

 portion of the forelegs to excessive strain. Or- 

 dinarily this imperfection is only observed in 

 long-gaited horses, but some that plant their feet 

 in a favorable manner when going at a slow pace, 

 when forced to a faster one lengthen their stride, 

 and show this defect, often called "pointing," to 

 a pronounced degree. Deep and oblique-shoul- 

 dered horses with little knee action, like thor- 

 oughbreds, often go in this way, but its ill-effects 

 are not so great as in those with a considerable 

 amount of knee action. 



"Threading" or "plaiting" are terms used to 

 designate the swinging of the elevated foot 

 around the one that is placed on the ground in 

 progression. This ungraceful manner of going, 

 which occasions a loss of power, is most clearly- 

 shown in the walk or slow trot. 



