220 JUDGING HORSES 



in the structure of the horse. It is the fulcrum of one of the 

 principal levers of the animal's body, and through it must 

 pass all the power utilized by the horse in pulling or moving 

 about. 



The hocks should be large, to allow for perfect freedom 

 of motion and for the attachment of muscles. From the 

 front to the rear they should be deep, giving more power to 

 the levers. They should be clean and free from pufhness, 

 and it is of equal importance that they be free also from 

 the unsoundnesses common to these parts, namely, spavin, 

 curb, and thoroughpin. 



The proper setting or conformation of the hock may be 

 determined by dropping a plumb-line from the point of the 

 buttock down the rear of the hind leg as shown in Fig. 86 and 

 Fig. 87. If the hock is properly shaped, the line will pass 

 down the rear of the hind cannon bone from the hock to 

 the heel, dividing the heel in the middle. Viewed from the 

 side, the line should be parallel to the direction of the 

 hind cannon bone. 



If the hock is too rounding, forming what is known as 

 a " sickle hock," it is prone to unsoundness, especially 

 curb, and is not so strong as a hock that is properly set. 

 The hock may also be set too straight. 



Cannon Bones, Fetlocks, Pasterns, and Feet of the 

 Hind Legs. — The cannon bones of the hind legs should 

 have clean, strong tendons. The fetlock joints should be 

 strong and free from pufl&ness. Special care should be given 

 to examining the setting and length of the pasterns which 

 should be moderately long and slope at an angle of 45°. 

 The size and quality of the hind feet should be noticed for 

 the same points that have already been discussed in the 

 treatment of the front feet. 



