84 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



what more marked on the out- 

 side of the hoof, the inner side 

 toward the rear having a trifle 

 less curve. "This shape," says 

 Craig,-'* "it will be easily seen, 

 not only gives a strong hold on 

 the ground, but it also decreases 

 the possibility of the inner edge 

 of the foot striking the opposite 

 leg or interfering. ' ' This round- 

 ness of form is to be seen by ex- 

 amining the feet from in front, 

 or picking them up and noting 

 the form from the under side. 

 To raise the front foot, slide the 

 thumb and forefinger of one 

 hand down alongside the can- 

 non, pressing tightly the ten- 

 dons, at the same time giving a 

 back and upward pull with the 

 other hand, grasping the front of 

 the fetlock. Usually the horse 

 will raise the foot without resistance and it then may be held 

 for inspection by supporting it in the hand. As viewed from 

 one side the hoofs should present an angle of about 50 de- 

 grees from coronet to toe, having a slope quite comparable 

 with the pastern and shoulder. Too upright a hoof gives a 

 hard gait and tends to foot difficulties. If the hoof is too 

 long the heel is thrown out of position, being closer to the 

 ground, and is thus subjected to a strain that causes weak- 

 ness or injury. From a side view, the length of heel should 

 measure about one-third the length of the front of hoof. 

 The exterior of the hoof should not flare out too widely, 

 for the coronet or hoof head should be round and of good 

 size in comparison with the bottom of the foot. Such a 

 foot suffers less from foot trouble than one with a small 



Fig. 41. — "The front feet 

 should be large, round, of uni- 

 form size, and as viewed from 

 In front, should point straight 

 forward." 



"Judging Live Stock, 6th ed., 1904, p. 40. 



