JUDGING THE HORSE 161 



ess and lightness of limb are much valued by buyers of this 

 class of horses. Strength and quality go with legs of this 

 kind. 



The body of the carriage horse will appear deep but not 

 thick, and will at its best have a sleek, well-rounded appear- 

 ance. By standing off at one side, the judge will get a better 

 view of proportions, and the fullness of chest, and depth of 

 both front and hind flanks will be easily seen. A view from 

 squarely in front will show the prominence of breast, and the 

 thickness and depth of body below the placing of neck, 

 which should be smoothly blended into the body. There 

 is quite a good deal of variation in the withers of driving 

 horses. They should not be very sharp, but fairly well 

 muscled and not appear too prominent. Notice if the back 

 is strong and well carried, with the loins broad and not much 

 depressed below the level of the croup. The well-turned 

 carriage horse will show a fullness of body from various 

 points of view. The greater speed he is capable of making, 

 the more muscular and angular he will appear. This is 

 illustrated by comparing a carriage horse and a working 

 trotter, each being about the same size, but used for a dif- 

 ferent purpose. 



The hind quarters of the carriage horse show power. 

 As one stands at one side, the length of croup and its posi- 

 tion are easily seen. A long, strong, high rather than low 

 croup is desired, with the tail having a free, easy, and some- 

 what high carriage. The length from the hips to the point 

 of the hocks should be considerable. 



The distance from the hind flank diagonally across to the 

 setting on of the tail also should be comparatively long. As 

 one stands behind, he should be able to observe some thick- 

 ness below the tail, where the hind legs merge together into 

 the thick, muscular quarters. A driving horse is not likely 



