30 JUDGING LIGHT HORSES 



soundness of any part. Too much attention can hardly 

 be given to this joint as it is one of the most important in 

 the whole frame. 



50. Hind Cannons Wide, Short, Clean. The hind can- 

 nons should be comparatively short as such a conformation 

 gives the hind leg a longer stride while at the same time 

 allowing the feet to keep under the body more. They should 

 also be wide for that gives better attachment to the tendons 

 and especially if the width continue just below the hock it 

 materially strengthens that part. When the support for the 

 tones of the hock is slight and narrow at the top of the 

 cannon there is greater susceptibility to curbs on account 

 of the weakness of that region. The fetlock joint should be 

 of normal size with good width and particularly free from 

 any puffiness indicating windgalls, 



51. Hind Pasterns Sloping, Strong. The slope of the 

 hind pasterns is not of such importance as that of the front 

 pastern for the reason that it is seldom that this part will be 

 found too straight in light horses. There is less concussion 

 for the hind foot to stand, consequently there is less need 

 for the pastern to be very sloping. The pasterns should be 

 of medium size and length so that they may be strong. 

 Freedom from thick, coarse skin and hair is desirable for in 

 the instance of such there is less susceptibility to scratches. 



52. Hind Feet Dense, Rounded. The hind feet should 

 have the characteristics that have been described in the 

 reference to the desirable points of the fore feet. It may 

 be noted in addition that the hind feet are more inclined to 

 become narrow in front and not have the nicely rounded 

 surface that is desirable in a good foot. The sides of the 

 foot viewed from in front very often appear to have 

 shrunken some, making a ridge down the center of the foot 

 from the hoof head to the toe and leaving the sides flat. 

 Narrowness at the hoof head usually accompanies this. 

 The foot should be dense in structure, medium in size, with 

 strong, wide heel and full front. 



