SELECTIITG THE HORSE. 



17 



is divided into three equal parts by vertical lines, one of them will 

 fall at the point of the shoulder-blade, and the other at the point of 

 the hips. The dotted lines show that the fore-feet stand directly 

 under the joints of the shoulder, and the hind feet under the hip- 

 joint. The off hind foot is shown thrown out of this line. The 

 next five engravings show the fore-legs in false positions, as 

 viewed from the side. "When one of the fore-feet is kept forward, 

 as in figure 12, it indicates navicular 

 disease, one of the worst and most 

 incurable ailments that can affect a 

 horse's foot. If both the fore-feet are 

 held in that position, it justifies a 

 suspicion that the horse has some time 

 been foundered. Figure 13 shows a 

 " sheep-kneed " fore-leg, and figure 14 

 a pastern too long and oblique. Fig- 

 ure 15 shows a hoof too straight and 

 the foot brought under the body. 

 Kgure 16 is a knee-sprung leg. When 

 a horse stands with all its legs tucked 

 under its body, it has been quite 

 knocked to pieces by abuse and hard 

 work. Figure 17 is a pair of cor- 

 rect fore-legs and feet, viewed from 

 the front. They are well spread apart 

 at the breast, the feet point directly 

 forward, and the whole leg is set 

 vertically under the shoulder-joint. 

 Figure 18 shows a bad pair of fore- 

 legs, which accompany a narrow chest 

 and weak constitution. Figure 19 

 shows a similarly contracted chest and 

 knock-knees. The inner sides of such 

 feet wear off more rapidly than the 

 outside, and the whole conformation is weak and objectionable, 

 The " pigeon-toed " feet, figure 20, are equally bad. They are sure 

 to interfere, or cut the leg with the other, and no manner of shoeing 

 can overcome this difficulty. Figure 21 shows a pair of perfect hind 

 legs. A Une falling from the level of the hip joints, would intersect 

 the hocks and heels. Figure 22 shows a pair of " cow-hocked '• 

 bind legs, and figure 23 a pair of hind legs, with the feet shaped so 

 that the greater part of the wear comes on the outside, the hocks 

 straddle outwardly. With the feet straight on the groimd, this is no 



Fig. 17. — GOOD FORE-LEGS. 



