THE CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE 59 



side, be fairly large and prominent, and tolerably 

 well bent. Straight hocks are bad, as they do 

 not assist in lessening the concussion, and con- 

 sequently often go wrong. The point of the 

 hock should be well developed and prominent, as 

 here a great deal of leverage is required for the 

 tendons of the leg. 



The hocks, as the horse is standing squarely 

 and fairly, should neither be too wide apart nor 

 too close to one another, but should be placed 

 straio-ht under the animal's body, and not turn 

 outwards or inwards. For all practical purposes 

 a strong, compact, and fairly large hock is the 

 best, and, as has already been said, it should not 

 be too straight, otherwise you may expect it to 

 become affected with spavin. On the other 

 hand, if too much bent, the probabilities are 

 that curb will make its appearance if the animal 

 be put to hard work. Narrow hocks, also, should 

 be avoided, as being predisposed to spavin and 

 curb. The leg below the hock should be short, 

 and what has been said as to the conformation 

 of the Hmb below the knee applies equally to the 

 leg below the hock. 



