Breeding and Management of Horses on a Farm. 515 
frequently arising from want of care, and ignorance of their natural 
functions. The position of the fore-legs is a point of some con- 
sequence. If the elbow be turned outwards, the feet will natu- 
rally turn in the contrary direction, and the mare will, conse- 
quently, cut the pastern-joints with her shoes, or, at all events, 
have that faulty style of action w hich is termed " dishinff," and 
which consists in a sort of semi-circular motion of the fore-legs, 
by which the sole of the foot is laterally visible at every stride. 
Very few horses whose feet are turned outwards are speedy for a 
distance, the centre of gravity in them being improperly placed, 
and giving rise on that account in many instances to depositions of 
bony matter by which Nature seeks to remedy the defects of mal- 
formation. The proper position for the fore-legs, then, is straight, 
turning neither outwards nor inwards, the toe being immediately 
unxlerneath the point of the shoulder. When it stands much under 
this spot the mare will probably be weak in the joints ; and if it 
project beyond it the shank-bone will incline forwards from the 
knee, producing what is called the calf-leg, an essential fault 
which almost invariably deprives its possessor of the power to 
stand hard work. 
I have said that the ribs of the mare should be arched, her 
girth behind the shoulders great, and her withers moderately 
high; but this latter appearance should never be caused by a 
depression or hollow behind them, which is a never-failing sign 
of weakness : a similar transverse depression of the back-bone 
above the hips indicates also a certain degree of want of power. 
The loins should be arched and broad, and the quarters long and 
wide behind. A considerable projection of the hip-bones, although 
unsightly, is by no means to be considered a fault, provided it be 
not caused by a narrow carcass ; on the contrary, such a formation 
is rather desiraljle in a brood-mare than otherwise, as it will not 
only afford room for the enlargement of the uterus and expulsion 
of the foal, but is likewise very generally a sign of great strength 
of the hind-quarters. 
A well-bent ham is always an excellent point in either horse 
or mare, and gives assurance that the hind-legs during motion will 
be well placed under the belly, instead of paddling behind, which 
species of action, or more properly want of action, can never be 
fast, and is frequently occasioned by a want of development in the 
hock, Avhich, instead of projecting posteriorly until its cap or point 
be at least perpendicular to the leg, is so placed that the back of 
the hock-joint inclines gradually downwards and outwards, by 
Avhich a great amount of leverage is lost. The thighs, from the 
hip to the hock, should be extremely well furnished with muscle, 
the hock-joint large and deep, and the shank flat and wiry. 
The position of the hind- legs should be somewhat under the 
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