THE FORE LIMB. 



On the other hand, their back tendons and suspensory- 

 ligaments will work at a greater mechanical disadvantage. 

 As the expressions "oblique (or sloping) pasterns," and 

 " upright pasterns," are more comparative than absolute, it is 

 impossible to define them with precision. Pis. 43 and 13 

 may be taken as good examples of these respective forms of 

 conformation. I need hardly say that pasterns which would 

 be far too upright for fast work, especially on hard ground, 

 might do admirably for slow draught. 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 the injurious effects of con- 

 cussion {see p. 69). Providing that the pastern bones are 

 strong, they can hardly be too oblique (supposing, of course, 

 that this condition has not been brought on by injury), if the 

 horse be required to gallop over hard ground. I may point 

 to PI. 43 as an extreme case of sloping pasterns in an 

 Arab horse that had remarkably sound legs. I may mention 

 that such instances are in no way uncommon among 

 the sons of the Desert ; and that, as a rule, they are animals 

 which like to "hear their feet rattle." As a case in point, I 

 may instance Mr. Covey's famous Arab, Marquis, who won 

 all over India, at all weights and all distances (in his own 

 class, of course). After doing as much work as would break 

 down a dozen ordinary horses, his legs were as clean as when 

 he was foaled ; although, even when only walking, his fet- 

 locks came nearly down to the ground at each step — so oblique 

 were his pasterns. Their bones, though long and sloping, 

 were, however, of good substance. My experience among 

 horses in many lands leads me to the conclusion that the 

 drier the country in which they are bred and reared, the 



