680 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



improve them so that the action is gayer with more knee-folding and more 

 lifting of the hock, no other breed of ponies can occupy their field; but 

 if they are allowed to remain as the old-fashioned type would have them 

 there is the possibility of some other variety surpassing them. The most 

 of the prize winners, in addition to being smooth and symmetrical had 

 good action, as the judge. Prof. John A. Craig, Stillwater, Okla., paid care- 

 ful attention to this point as well as type. Breeders should be quicker to 

 recognize the demands of the times and bring about the improvement 

 needed as rapidly as possible. The exhibit as a whole was one exceed- 

 ingly gratifying to pony lovers. 



DRAFT GELDINGS AND MABES. 



Much interest has been aroused in the classes for draft geldings and 

 mares. The quality of horses entered was the best. Burgess won first 

 on aged mare or gelding with the grand, big, upstanding dark gray four- 

 year-old Trochu, a big-boned, good-footed, bold-going gelding that is very 

 prime. Crouch won second and fourth with the chestnut swing pair of 

 the six-horse team and third with the off leader. Swift's entries were 

 passed by the judge, R. B. Ogilvie, as being too stale in going and too 

 small of bone for their weight. The success of the Belgian cross on 

 farm-mares was demonstrated in the two-year-old class when Chas. Irvine 

 won three places out of four with his grade — compact, low-set, big-boned, 

 lusty colts. He also won first on yearlings with one of the same kind. 



In four and six-horse teams Swift & Co. won bver Crouch & Son. Both 

 outfits are splendid. The Swift horses are larger, better conditioned, 

 and heavier, match perfectly in type and color and are better traiHed. 

 From all parts of the country the different horses came. It will take a 

 rare team to beat them, as such uniformity in type and color has never 

 before been seen in a six-horse team of draft horses. 



In draft teams in harness the weight and finish of the Swift pairs clearly 

 entitled them to recognition and they were awarded first and third places, 

 with the two best Crouch geldings, a chestnut and a gray, second. The 

 best Swift pair has an overwhelming advantage in weight, and they are 

 perfectly matched. 



Five pairs, hitched to farm wagons, entered the ring at the call for 

 farmers' teams. All reflected the growing sentiment of leading farmers 

 toward heavy horses for farm work. These pairs were all draft bred, 

 weighing around 1,500 to 1,800 pounds. All of them came from a locality 

 where mare and colt shows are a prominent part of the annual winter 

 farmers' institute. These shows have grown in interest the last few years 

 until now over 50 mares are sometimes entered in one class. The region 

 has attracted good stallions and become famous for its good horses. Buyers 

 are drawn to it and find marketable horses of rare quality. Thus has a 

 community interest and a fame grown from an original mare and colt 

 show. The conditions came pleasantly to light when these five pairs 

 were seen to have such a monopoly of draft type and quality in the 

 farm team exhibition. 



