42 EXAMINATION OF HORSES 
tically and anatomically, it is neither more nor less than 
a part of a phalanx, much modified by being surrounded 
by hoof and otherwise, but still a part of a phalanx, and 
one (the distal) of three parts whose bones, from above 
downwards, are named respectively the suffraginal, 
coronal, and pedal. 
This being so I utterly ignore all descriptions of the 
foot as such, and proceed to describe all the structures 
SJrom the fetlock joint downwards as a whole. 
The fore legs, as you know, are the wetght-bearers 
and the hind legs are the propellers. You will best see 
this by letting fall an imaginary plumb line through the 
long axis of the fore leg. This /zze, as the horse is 
standing on level ground, comes up through the root 
of the neck at its upper end, but at its lower (in a well- 
shaped limb) finds the fetlock joint its lowest point, and 
reaches the ground slightly behind the heel of the foot. 
Here I am speaking of a well-made horse, irrespective of 
breed, standing on level ground, thoroughly awake, and 
in attention. Notice how little weight there now is in 
front of this line, for you have only the— 
1. Head. 2. Neck. 3. Half the shoulders. 
So that in this position, when the horse is awake and in 
attention, you see, the fore and hind limbs bear the 
weight of the body equally; because, if the fore limbs 
have the head, neck, and half the shoulders in front of 
them, they have the large light thorax immediately! 
behind them, whilst the hind limbs have their own 
