STRUCTURAL EXAMINATION 27 



40. Pasterns Sloping, Strong. The pastern should stand 

 at an angle of 45 degrees with the ground, and with the cannon 

 it should form an angle of about 135 degrees. When more 

 upright than this, they will cause bone diseases, such as side- 

 bones and ringbones, as the concussion is very severe in 

 such instances. Moreover it detracts greatly from the utility 

 of the light horse, especially those intended for the saddle, 

 as the step is short and stilted, and this is very disagreeable 

 to the rider. On the other hand, sometimes the pasterns of 

 light horses, and of thoroughbred horses especially, are too 

 long and slanting, which weakens them and ultimately ends 

 in the snapping of the suspensory ligament resulting in the 

 horse "breaking down." 



41. Feet Dense, Waxy, Large. The foot should receive 

 careful attention as it has an important part to play in the 

 work of the horse, and it is subject to many defects and various 

 kinds of unsoundness. It should be of firm texture, good 

 size, moderately upright and thoroughly sound. It should 

 have a healthy appearance which is indicated by an oily coat 

 of natural wax. The frog should bear the mark of natural 

 usage as a buffer, being spongy and touching the ground at 

 each step. The roof or sole of the hoof should be distinctly 

 concave. Flatness, brittleness and contraction, are the three 

 most common defects in horses' feet. It will be noticed in 

 many instances that the bar of the foot has been cut away, 

 so that the hoof splits from the heel towards the coronet. 

 This is due to the blacksmith's practice of cutting away the 

 bars that bind the foot together. When this is done the foot 

 begins to spread and the crack ultimately extends as far as 

 possible. 



42. Ribs Well Sprung, Deep, Close. The ribs should be 

 well sprung from the spine and they should be close to each 

 other. It will generally be found that horses having well 

 sprung ribs always make a better appearance than those that 

 are flat ribbed ; and, in addition, they will be found to be 



