STBUCTURAL EXAMINATION 27 



the cannon it should form an angle of about 135 degrees. 

 When more upright than this, they will cause bone diseases, 

 such as sidebones 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 es- 

 pecially, are too long and slanting, which weakens them 

 and ultimately ends in the snapping of the suspensory liga- 

 ment, resulting in the horse "breaking down." 



41. Feet Dense, Waxy, Large. The foot should re- 

 ceive 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 in- 

 dicated by an oily coat of natural wax. The frog: should 

 bear the mark of natural usage as a buffer, bein^ spongy 

 and touching the ground at each step. The roof or sole 

 of the hoof should be distinctly concave. Flatness, brittle- 

 ness 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 black- 

 smith '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 easier keepers. It should be noted that the 



