THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 335 



For convenience, all points of an anatomical nature are grouped 

 under the head of "Conformation " Although according to the generally 

 accepted usage by the best authorities on score-card practice and live 

 stock judging, this is a somewhat broad use of the term, it is not techni- 

 cally incorrect, and the advantages gained by the elimination of details 

 that might prove wearisome will, it is believed, warrant such treatment. 



The classifications here considered are made as comprehensive as 

 possible, embracing the views of dealers in all of the principal markets 

 of the country. All the classes mentioned will not be found present in all 

 markets, nor will all markets have exactly the same qualifications, but 

 these differences are so slight as to be practically unimportant. 



Especially in regard to size and weight, it must be borne in mind that 

 the figures given are not arbitrary. Not only will they vary in different 

 parts of the country with different markets, but dealers in the same 

 market will differ in their ideas as to the exact sizes and weights of the 

 various classes. With this, as with all points, the attempt has been made 

 to strike an average — to obtain a consensus of opinion, as it were. It is 

 always to be remembered that "doctors differ," both as to the symptoms 

 of a patient when ill and as to his normal appearance and proper conduct 

 when weli. 



Prices are seldom mentioned here, for the reason that they are sub- 

 ject to continual fluctuations and any that might be quoted would be 

 serviceable only for the time of writing. Such information is accurate 

 only when gained from regular market publications, and is easily ob- 

 tained. 



For specific information regarding contemporaneous market condi- 

 tions there is no better or more easily approached source of information 

 than the commission firms and dealers on the market, whose courteous 

 assistance, it .should be mentioned, has made this bulletin a possibility; 

 and no better school for practical instruction can be imagined than an 

 auction ring in one of our great horse markets on a sale day during the 

 height of the season. 



PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS OF THE MARKET. 



A general observation of the horse markets in the United States re- 

 veals very different conditions from those existing in the early part of the 

 last decade. Before going into details and ascertaining the kind of horse 

 that the several demands on the market require, three facts present 

 themselves for consideration. 



First — The market is seen to be on a much firmer basis than it was 

 in the years from 1893 to 1897. Not only are prices much higher, but, gen- 

 erally speaking, the competition among buyers is keen, and a .serviceably 

 sound, well-set-up horse of the right type, in good condition, can almost 

 always be disposed of at a profit to the producer. 



Second — One is impressed with the pronounced scarcity of animals of 

 the better grades, especially among light horses. Dealers cannot satisfy 

 the demands that come to them for high class roadsters, coach horses 



