THE TYPES AND CLASSES OF HORSES 83 



Scotland and America, and a recognized authority on the 

 Clydesdale, says n that the pasterns of the Clydesdale are 

 longer and much more oblique than in the other breeds, and 

 that the statement " pasterns like a Clydesdale/' is the 

 most complimentary allusion that can be made to the under- 

 pinning of any other kind of horse. Hayes says, 12 that 

 "we may accept as an axiom, the statement that the harder 

 the ground and the faster the work, the more sloping 

 should the pasterns be, in order to save the legs from inju- 

 rious effects of concussion. If the horse be required to 

 gallop over hard ground, the pasterns can hardly be too 

 oblique (supposing of course, that this condition has not 

 been brought about by injury) ; provided always that the 

 pastern bones are strong." Without question the farm 

 horse largely used on soft ground, does not require the 

 sloping pastern of the draft horse on the city pavement, 

 for reasons already given. The direction of the pastern is 

 generally given at from 40 to 45 degrees, but Goubaux and 

 Barriere state 13 that 60 degrees is preferable for the front 

 ones, 45 degrees constituting a marked "low jointedness." 

 Foot diseases are generally more common on horses with 

 upright pasterns than on those of greater slope. The 

 pasterns should be straight in direction because ill-placed 

 feet are, as a rule, due to the pasterns directing in or out. 

 The pastern should be smooth, and covered with fine skin 

 and hair as evidence of quality and good condition. 



The feet of the horse are universally regarded as of 

 prime importance, hence, the oft quoted saying, "no feet, 

 no horse. " In general, the front feet should be large, 

 round, of uniform size and as viewed from in front should 

 point straight forward. Small feet do not have the neces- 

 sary base of support associated with draft weight. The 

 front feet are usually larger than those behind. Roundness 

 of outline of hoof is sought, although the curve is some- 



" American Clydesdale Stud Book, Vol. X. 



12 The Points of the Horse, 3d ed., 1904, p. 291. 



13 The Exterior of the Horse, 2d ed., 1904, p. 304. 



