A vertical line drawn from the point of the shoulder should fall in the center of the knee, cannon, pastern and hoof. The front legs are parallel with the feet pointing straight ahead. Deviations from this standard are faults which affect gait, soundness and performance. Click on the image for a larger view. The distance between feet on ground is wider than between legs at chest.
Horse places more weight on inside of foot.
The inside of the leg is under more strain. The distance between the feet at ground is narrower that between the legs at chest level. Horse places more weight on outside of foot causing fetlock and pastern strain. The hooves turn out from center line. Fault may start at forearm, knee or fetlock.