220 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



mane, and tail. A star in the forehead and a few white hairs 

 on the heels is all the white allowed for pure-bred animals. 

 The Cleveland Bay has never been largely introduced into the 

 United States, but would be a good horse for ordinary farm 

 work as well as for carriage purposes. 



The light-harness class combines great strength and rapid 

 movement with considerably less weight than that of the 

 heavy-harness or coach class. To the light-harness class be- 

 long trotters, pacers, and roadsters. The runners and sad- 

 dlers may also be mentioned in this connection. Only one of 

 these, the runner or thoroughbred, can be said to be so pure- 

 bred as to be recognized as a real breed. All the others are 

 of more or less mixed breeding. 



All the types belonging to the light-harness or speed class 

 are characterized by their long, slim necks, lank bodies, long, 

 clean legs, and a general bony appearance. The body of a 

 horse belonging to this class is not as round and full as that 

 of a draft or coach horse. A cross-section back of the shoul- 

 ders would be elliptical in outline. Such a deep and thin body 

 is favorable to good lung action, so desirable for rapid move- 

 ment and long endurance. 



The foundation stock of the Thoroughbred, that is, the ani- 

 mals first used to start the breed, were stallions from Arabia 

 and the Barbary States. These were mated to the native 

 English mares. By selection from the offspring the breed 

 was established and has been well known for about two hun- 

 dred years. Fresh blood from the Orient has been frequently 

 brought in for the improvement and maintenance of the 

 breed. The Thoroughbred is a natural runner and in Eng- 

 land he is much used for hunting. Such horses are called 

 Hunters. 



