214 



JUDGING HORSES 



of the joint and attachment of muscles. Knees that are 

 shghtly flexed and held forward when the horse is standing 

 are called " buck knees." 



Cannons. — The cannon bones are really round, but 

 when properly supported by sufficient tendons, appear flat. 

 They extend from the knee to the 

 fetlock joint and should be short 

 and free from enlargements. Splints, 

 which are small, bony growths, some- 

 times appear on the inside of the 

 front cannon bones. While they sel- 

 dom cause lameness, they are unde- 

 sirable, especially upon light, fancy 

 driving horses. Clean, strong ten- 

 dons are desired, and any tendency 

 toward puf&ness is objectionable. If 

 the cannon bones are too small the 

 knees have the appearance of being 

 set back too far. This defect is called " calf kneed." 



Fetlocks. — The fetlock joint is located between the 

 cannon and the pastern bones. These joints should be 

 large, strong, and free from puffiness. 



Pasterns. — Although only three points are given to 

 pasterns on the score card, the setting and length of the 

 pastern bones are very important in the conformation of the 

 horse. These bones should be moderately long and slope 

 at an angle of about 45°. If the pasterns are short and 

 steep, the horse will have a stiff, stilty action. The horse's 

 foot receives a heavy blow when his weight is brought down 

 upon it during action. If the pastern is sloping, a great deal 

 of the force of the blow is broken or absorbed. This is not 

 so in the case of the horse with the short steep pastern, in 



Fig. 80. — Unsound knees. 



