504 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



separated. Where the thighs contract to form the lower 

 thigh and hock, the curves between the legs at the twist 

 should approach a right angle as much as possible, with the 

 lower thighs widely separated at points of hocks. It is es- 

 sential that, from a rear view, the hams be both thick and 

 deep. The judge will note that some thick hams lack depth. 



Others show more 

 thickness through 

 from side to side, 

 and yet possess con- 

 siderable depth 

 from tail setting to 

 the deepest point 

 between the two 

 thighs. The hind 

 legs should stand 

 straight and be 

 well supported on 

 the toes. Viewed 

 from one side, the 

 leg from hock to 

 ankle should come 

 down in a vertical 

 line. It is a com- 

 mon tendency for 

 the hog to shove the hind legs beneath the body in quite a 

 slanting position, with the dew claws almost, if not quite 

 touching the ground, the weight of body being supported on 

 the entire length of toes, rather than on their tips. This is a 

 very undesirable position, and is usually associated with 

 lack of bone and weak leg formation. From the hock down, 

 the bone should seem reasonably large and strong, in order 

 to bear the great weight of the fat hog. A rear view shows 

 the hocks widely separated, and the shank bones well apart 

 and parallel and strongly supported on the pasterns and 

 toes, which should point directly ahead. If the hocks are 

 too close together tlien the legs and toes point outward. 



Fig. 280. — "The curves between the legs at 

 the twist should approach a right angle as much 

 as possible." 



