HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



The Sliirc Horse Society, througli the registration of pedi- 

 grees and its annual show, etc., has been the mcchuni through 

 which this \-arietv of horse has attained its present locus standi 

 amongst patrons of this useful heavy type of animah For the 

 heaviest class of horse haulage the shire stands unrivalled. 



Date of Birth. — The age of a cart horse dates from the 

 ist of January, therefore it is advantageous to have mares to 

 foal as early in the season as possible. 



Points and Defects. — Head. — A well formed head is 

 indicative of good breeding, and judges attach importance to 

 this region. Skin thin and muzzle with a tassel of hair, and not 

 too fine. A Roman nose and a broad forehead are points of 

 beauty in both the shire and cart horse. The hair constituting 

 the forelock ought to be long and free from coarseness. The 

 outline of the jaws should be distinct, and show no indication 

 of puffiness. Eyes, large and full, free from vicious expression. 

 Small or concealed eyes are objectionable. 



If purcliasing a shire and cart liorsc the chief faults in this 

 region are : Swollen or indurated glands beneath the jaws or 

 ears ; defective sight ; disease of the molar teeth ; dis- 

 charge of a chronic nature from the nostrils ; scars at the 

 angles of the cheek ; a hard puller, and poll evil. These, save 

 one exception, are faults constituting unsoundness. Thickness 

 of the skin over the head and face, coarse head, and a head either 

 too light or too heavy are objectionable points. The same 

 may be said of coarse hair beneath the jaw. 



Neck and Shoulders. — Neck must be well arched, wide, 

 deep and rather long. Many cart horses are very poorly deve- 

 loped in this region. A good crest — more especially in the 



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