THE TYPES AND CLASSES OF HORSES QQ 



for speed. From a side view the muscles should appear 

 wide and prominent, while from the rear the outer part of 

 the gaskin should show thick, well rounded curves. The 

 inner part of the lower thigh curves slightly outward from 

 the quarter above. If the upper thighs are thick in the 

 quarters, then the lower ones will tend to curve outward, 

 showing considerable arch between, a desirable condition if 

 the lower parts are not too widely separated, otherwise ease 

 of locomotion would be affected. Commenting on this part 

 of the thigh, Youatt says: 22 "In proportion to the length 

 of the muscle is the degree of contraction of which it is 

 capable; and also in proportion to the contraction of the 

 muscle is the extent of motion in the limb; but it is still 

 more necessary that this part of the thigh should have con- 

 siderable muscle, in order that strength may be added to 

 such extent or compass of motion. Much endurance would 

 not be expected of a horse with a thin arm. A horse with 

 thin and lanky thighs will not possess the strength which 

 considerable exertion would sometimes require. ' ' Width of 

 gaskin is highly important for either speed or strength, and 

 this can only be secured by the os calcis or bone topping 

 the hock having ample length. 



The hock of the draft horse is one of the largest and 

 most important joints in the body. As expressed by Gou- 

 baux and Barriere, 23 "functionally, it is, more than any 

 other, a region of dispersion of concussion as well as of 

 propulsion. It is upon this region that the efforts of the 

 extensor muscles which propel the body are concentrated; 

 it is on this point that the reactions of locomotion bear at 

 the moment when the body, moving with great velocity, 

 and projected forward, strikes the ground; finally, this is 

 the region, on which, in the act of rearing, all the weight 

 of the body presses down with such great force." As a 

 general description we may say that the hock should be 



22 The Horse. William Youatt, 1843, p. 283. 



215 The Exterior of the Horse. Translated by S. J. J. Harger, 2d ed., 1904, 

 p. 253. 



