ON THE CONFORMATION OF HORSES. 
189 
vididual conformation, the degree of breeding, mode of rearing, 
age, &c. There is least horn at the base of the foal’s foot, and 
the substance of horn gradually increases as maturity advances. 
This shews that a knowledge of the arrangement, extent, and 
modifications of the horn comprising the hoof, becomes a very 
valuable study. 
To GIVE A GENERAL IDEA OF THE LAWS OF CONFORMATION, 
I shall attempt to divide horses into six classes, and to shew how 
shape and make in these various classes influence the hoof. 
1st Class of Conformation. — The head, neck, and shoulder 
very light. Withers high or low. Position of the limbs very 
upright, particularly the pastern joints. The action may be 
either high or low. The corresponding hoof retains the same 
form as the foal’s ; that is, circular ; or, even smaller at the ground 
surface than at the coronet, with high heels. 
2d Class of Conformation. — Head, neck, and shoulders, 
heavier than the 1st Class. Withers, either high or low. Posi- 
tion of limbs, proper ; being neither too upright, nor too much 
aslant, more particularly of the pastern joint. The action of the 
horse may be either high or low. 
The hoof in this case will be of a larger area than the preced- 
ing, and its posterior parts will be more developed. 
3d Class of Conformation. — Head, neck, and shouders, 
heavier than in the last Class. Withers high or low. Limbs 
well shaped, particularly the pastern joints. Action either high 
or low. The hoof in this case, merely in consequence of the dif- 
ference of weight, will have a larger area at its base than the pre- 
ceding, and will incline to be large and open. 
4th Class of Conformation. — Under this head I include 
the hind hoofs, which have in all respects less weight to support. 
The hind hoofs vary from oblong, approaching to circular, but 
rarely assume the conical shape ; and the area at the base is 
smaller than in the fore feet. 
5th Class of Conformation. — In this class I have placed 
all varieties of feet, the products of malformation, or defective po- 
sition of the legs or joints ; and I will endeavour to explain a few 
of them. 
A horse may have his fetlocks bent inwards, or have crooked 
legs, or his chest be narrow ; in which case he will turn his toes 
out , and there will be a shelving or conoid shape on the outer 
part of the foot, whilst the inner quarter may from this appear 
misshapen or contracted. This arises from the greater degree of 
weight being supported on the inner side ; which, in consequence, 
becomes straight or contracted, according to the degree of weight 
received; while the opposite quarter invariably shelves, the 
weight being, in this case, borne across the foot. This important 
