THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 34? 



of breeding and high individual excellence in the resulting progeny, a 

 course of handling, mannering and training must be pursued before the 

 horse will figure as a really marketable animal. 



These facts must be thoroughly understood if a man would breed 

 light horses for market. 



Three pretty well-defined classes, each with several sub-classes of 

 more or less distinct demarcation, make up this type. Speaking of the 

 group as a whole, we find that all the virtues of which a horsj is pos- 

 sessed must be found in this animal. The higher grades must be per- 

 fectly sound in wind and limb, free from blemishes of any kind, and ex- 

 tremely stylish in appearance. Disposition and education are very im< 

 portant; the uses for which he is intended and the conditions surround- 

 ing him require that he be kind, gentle, cool-headed in emergencies, and 

 well mannered, yet full of spirit and energy. 



BOADSTEBS. 



Size and Weight- — The typical roadster stands from 15.1 to 15.3 hands 

 high and weighs from 950 to 1,150 pounds. 



Conformation. — We note now a very radical difference from the heavy 

 horse. The roadster is more upstanding, not so wide, and entirely 

 lacks the massiveness of the drafter, but is deep of chest and middle. la 

 extremes of roadster form, especially when in racing condition, there is 

 a prominent appearance of angularity that, though not unpleasing, is a 

 sharp contrast both to the form of the drafter and as will be shown later, 

 to that of the coacher. 



It is highly essential that feet and legs be not only sound, but of that 

 correct conformation that will prevent unsoundness to the greatest possi- 

 ble extent. The pasterns should be sloping and strong, and the shoulder 

 deep and sloping and extending well into the back. The withers are high 

 and sharp, the back strongly muscled, short, and closely coupled, and the 

 hind quarters long and heavily muscled. The bones from elbow point to 

 knee (forearm) and from stifle to hock (leg) should be nearly twice as 

 long as the cannon bones in their respective limbs, thus giving long lev- 

 erage and muscles that are long, and therefore quick to respond and plac- 

 ing the fulcrums of these levers close to the ground, giving strength 

 steadiness, and poise. The neck should be of medium length* to long, 

 joined to the snoulder, and clearly defined, with a clean-cut throatlatch. 

 The head should be fine and clean-cut, with an erect, neat, medium-sized 

 ear, a full, clear eye and full, good-sized nostrils. Stamina is an essential 

 of this class, and, as an indication, a high degree of quality will be looked 

 for. . 



Action. — There are two opinions prevalent in the market regarding 

 the trotting action of a roadster. One places more emphasis on its ap- 

 proach to the extremes of coach action, while the other regards moderately 



*It is questioned by good judges and expert buyers whether it is possible to get a neck 

 too long in a horse of any class. 



