518 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



POINTS OF THE DRAFT HORSE. 



SeigJit. — A typical draft horse should stand sixteen hands high or 

 somewhat over that height. Extra tall, leggy drafters, deficient in weight, 

 width and quality are unliked in the market and many of them are 

 prone to chorea (St. Vitus' Dance). Abnormally tall horses, unless won- 

 derfully good in conformation so that the height is not ungainly, are 

 difficult to match and therefore not in demand in the market. Such horses 

 for single work or as the middle horse of a three-horse team for hauling 

 coal, etc. 



Weight. — A draft horse should weigh sixteen hundred pounds and 

 upward. Weight is absolutely necessary for the hauling of heavy loads. 

 It enables the horse to derive full benefit from the strength of his muscles 

 and tendons, adds to the effect of his levers in motion, and gives him a 

 firm grip upon the ground. It is a burden and practically useless when 

 not associated with perfectly developed, exercised muscles, so far as actual 

 work is concerned, but is requisite in every draft horse offered upon the 

 market if he is to command a high price. Where the frame shows adapt- 

 ability, in a thin horse,to put on flesh he is bought by the professional 

 feeder who finishes him for the market. In a well developed draft horse 

 extra condition is considered worth twenty-five cents per pound in the 

 Chicago market. For practical purpo^s the great weight of a draft horse 

 should be made up of large, strong bones and powerful muscles through- 

 out the frame. Fat should be discounted in buying a draft horse for work 

 and, in judging, one should note development of muscle rather than wealth 

 of flesh and fat. A typical draft horse should still weigh sixteen hundred 

 pounds or over when deprived of the condition referred to. 



Form. — The entire make-up of Lra drdft horse should suggest strength 

 for heavy hauling. He should be broad, deep, thick, round, with each part 

 in keeping with it neighboring parts, giving an appearance of symmetry 

 and massiveness. He should be low-down, blocky and compact, on short, 

 strong-boned, clean legs showing marked prominence and development of 

 tendons and the legs should be properly placed and set to insure corect, 

 straight action at the walk or trot. 



Quality. — This term applies to evident refinement in character of skin, 

 muscles, bone, tendons and hair. It infers also aristocratic breeding and 

 all of the attributes of pure blood. It is indicated by high spirits, vigor, 

 sprightly action, endurance, stamnia and intelligence and is plainly indi- 

 cated when the legs are free from meatiness, appear broad, flat, "clefty" 

 and, if furnished with "feather," the hair under knees and hocks springs 

 as a silky fringe from the rear of the tendons. Quality offsets grossness 

 and combines grace with great weight and power in the best types of 

 draft horses. 



Action. — A draft horse will have to do most of his hard work at the 

 walking gait. It is therefore of supreme importance that he should be 

 able to walk fast without tiring and in order to do this his action must 

 be perfectly straight and level. The joints must be easily and fully 

 flexed, the feet must advance and be set down without deviations from a 

 straight line. The soles of the feet should turn up and show plainly to 



