42 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



formation, as far as this point is concerned, and 

 be anything but inclined to forge. Horses with 

 the fore pasterns disproportionately long, when 

 compared to the hind ones, especially if the fore- 

 feet are also inclined to unusual length, experi- 

 ence retardation in the flexion and extension of 

 the forelegs, to a degree that renders interfer- 

 ence from the hind ones liable. 



An important factor in good action is the 

 straight advancing of the forelegs in progres- 

 sion. Any deviation from this, as in wind- 

 out or winding-in, or a combination of 

 these two defects, sometimes called "wig- 

 gling," retards sufficiently prompt action 

 of the forelegs to enable the feet to make 

 way for the hind ones. These defects of action 

 are the result of the fact that the bones that 

 make up the foundation of the legs are defective- 

 ly related to one another in forming the joints. 

 There are very palpable illustrations of these de- 

 fects of formation in horses with "knock-knees," 

 calf-knees, turned-in or turned-out pasterns. We 

 notice in individuals a lack of harmony in forma- 

 tion between the fore and hind extremities. For 

 instance, some horses have the pasterns of the 

 hind extremities of a length disproportionate to 

 those of the fore, and vice-versa. So with action: 

 some have quick and extensive flexion of the 

 hock, out of proportion to the degree of prompt- 



