CONFORMATION OF THE HORSE. 19 



instance, the toes may be turned inwards, or out- 

 wards, or the animal may be what is termed a 

 " paddler." Some horses are continually digging 

 their toes into the ground, and this renders them 

 very liable to stumble. What is called "going 

 upon the toe" or the "heels," is usually indicative 

 of disease, and anyone observing this, should have 

 nothing to do with such a horse, unless it be at 

 a trifling price, for work on the land, etc. 



The Hind Limbs. 



Like the fore, the hind Umbs differ in their 



position, in relation to the body. They may be 



placed too far backwards, or too far forwards ; so, 



this has a considerable influence in the durabiUty 



of the limbs. If a horse is standing at repose 



and the feet opposite to one another, the toe should 



not be in front of a line falling from the stifle joint. 



In racehorses it is a distinct advantage to have 



the toes as far behind this line as possible. In every 



case, the toes should point directly forwards, free 



from outward, or inward incline. If the toes turn 



outwards, this brings the hocks too close together, 



whereas, if they turn inwards, the hocks are thrown 



too much from beneath the quarters, and the action 



becomes a very inferior one. A very frequent, 



2* 



