ACTION^ 37 



another explanation. The statement may be ad- 

 vanced, in explanation, that the elasticity re- 

 sulting from oblique pasterns may be neutralized 

 by a straight shoulder; but this theory will not 

 hold, as one not infrequently finds straight-shoul- 

 dered, short-pasterned horses which step lightly. 

 Another explanation must be found. We have 

 to seek elsewhere in the animal economy than in 

 the peculiar arrangement of the bones, muscles, 

 tendons and ligaments of the limbs to account for 

 the light step of some horses. 



The endowment with this desirable quality is 

 undoubtedly referable to the nervous system, just 

 as speed is. We cannot determine the degree of 

 a horse's speed by studying his external form. 

 We have to subject him to a test, and so we have 

 in forming a conclusion as to the degree of light- 

 ness or heaviness of his step. 



With regard to labored progression, the ten- 

 dency to it is usually determinable by an inspec- 

 tion of a horse's conformation. All deviations 

 from the steadily carried top in the trot, in which 

 there is no rolling, jerking or waddling, and from 

 the straight flexion and extension of the fore- 

 legs, in which there is no straddling, dishing or 

 winding-in, and from the equally straight and easy 

 flexion of the hock, can, as a rule, be determined 

 by an examination of an individual's conforma- 

 tion. The horse with thick or loaded shoulders 



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