170 



BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



The hind quarters of the draft horse especially signify 

 power. Therefore great length and breadth of the croup 

 provide for thick powerful muscles. As one looks at this 

 part, he should be impressed with the power there available. 

 A common feature of the draft horse at this point is steepness 

 of croup. This is easily seen whether one stands at one side 

 or looks from behind. We do not have much information 



on the difference in power be- 

 tween horses with steep croups 

 and those having them more 

 level, but it is generally agreed 

 that the most beautiful confor- 

 mation goes with the more level 

 condition. The greater the 

 length and the more heavily the 

 muscling from the hips to the 

 hock, the more powerful will be 

 the croup conformation. 



The legs of the drafter should 

 not appear too wide apart at 

 either hock or knee. Too much 

 spread is a greater indication of 

 weakness than is closeness. The 

 limbs should come down in a 

 well-placed position, to stand 

 under somewhat at each corner of the body, as it were. 

 In viewing the horse from in front, one is inclined to look 

 for too great width, such as goes with a stiff or clumsy gait. 

 The action of the draft horse is studied in the same way 

 as with the driver. More value, however, is in this case 

 given to the walk than to a faster gait. A heavy draft horse 

 is rarely required to move faster than a walk. However, he 

 should have a quick walk, and be able to move four miles an 



Fig. 95. A draft horse from 

 the rear, with the legs too wide 

 apart. Photograph by the author. 



