The exterior of the horse . lly, the necessary consequence ofthis form of the knee is the outward deviation ofthe inferior part of the member, notably the Avill return to this in speaking of the outboio-footed horse. (See Axes.) When the region of the carpus deviates to theexternal side of the vertical axis it is the seat of agrave defect, which is denoted by tlic limb being con-vex on the external side and concave inwardly, aswell as by a convergence of the two hoofs (Fig. 71).This conformation is not common, but, like the pre-ceding, it causes unsteadiness in the grip of theground an
The exterior of the horse . lly, the necessary consequence ofthis form of the knee is the outward deviation ofthe inferior part of the member, notably the Avill return to this in speaking of the outboio-footed horse. (See Axes.) When the region of the carpus deviates to theexternal side of the vertical axis it is the seat of agrave defect, which is denoted by tlic limb being con-vex on the external side and concave inwardly, aswell as by a convergence of the two hoofs (Fig. 71).This conformation is not common, but, like the pre-ceding, it causes unsteadiness in the grip of theground and a straining of the ligaments. In thiscase it is the internal surface of the articulationswhich is overloaded, and the external lateral liga-ments that are subjected to the abnormal tension ;and for this reason blemishes are the speedy result of this form of theknee. Besides, as the toe of the hoof is turned inward, the horse ispigeon-toed and exposed, consequently, to all the evils of this defect,particularly Fig. 7L 234 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. Clearness of Outline.—It is not sufficient that the knee be dry, wide, thick, well located, and set in the right direction, but itis absolutely indispensable that the outline be perfectly clear,—that isto say, neatly defined in its external lines, whether viewed from thefront or from the side. Any deformity, even a slight one, should beconsidered grave, for it is a sign of the weakness and the ultimate ruinof the limb in which it is noticed. Diseases and Blemishes.—H. Bouley^ has described the dis-eases and the blemishes of the knee in his usual happy style. We willtherefore limit ourselves to condensing here what he has written onthis subject. 1. Recent Lesions and Diseases.—First among these are denudations,excoriations, and more or less deep wounds of the skin of the anterior surface ofthis region, the result of falls, and the gravity of which varies with the natureof the soil, the velocity of the gait, and
Size: 998px × 2505px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjecthorses, bookyear1892
