BREEDS OF HORSES 35 



ket classes, and these classes are divided into sub-classes which are 

 again divided into grades. The classes are draft horses, chunks, 

 wagon horses, carriage horses, road horses, and saddle horses. 



The class embodies groups of horses of a general type, while 

 the sub-class is a division of the class and distinguishes horses of a 

 similar type but slightly different in size, weight or use to which 

 they are put. The grades (choice, good, medium, common, and 

 inferior) of the various sub-classes refer to quality, conformation, 

 action, and condition, the relative importance of which are not the 

 same in all classes. In draft horses, chunks, and wagon horses, the 

 relative importance of the factors are as in the order named; qual- 

 ity, conformation, condition, style, and action; while in the carri- 

 age, road, and saddle horse classes quality is followed by action, 

 conformation, and condition. A horse to grade as choice must ap- 

 proach the ideal type of conformation, possess quality and finish to 

 a marked degree, have style and action, be sound and in good con- 

 dition. A good horse should possess the essential qualities of his 

 class but need not have the fineness of finish, quality, style, action, 

 and condition necessary to grade as choice. A horse of medium 

 grade is likely to be plain in his make up with a tendency toward 

 coarseness and there is evidence of lack of quality, finish, and sym- 

 metry. In the case of a light horse it might be his action that 

 would place him in this grade. Common is the lowest grade found 

 in most of the classes. Such a horse is wanting in most of the es- 

 sentials that go to make him desirable. An inferior horse, as the 

 name indicates, is of the lowest grade. (111. B. 122.) 



Draft Horses. Draft horses, whose principal work is to haul 

 heavy loads at the walk are divided into three sub-classes: Heavy 

 Draft, light Draft and Loggers, all of which are much of the same 

 type. The ideal Drafter is a rugged, heavy set, compactly built 

 horse with great weight and strength. Strength and endurance 

 are the principal equalities sought and are best secured by the horse 

 throwing weight into the collar rather than by muscular exertion 

 of the limbs. The Drafter should be a broad massive individual 

 with symmetry of bone and muscle, standing from 15-3 to 17-2 

 hands high and in good flesh weighing not less than 1600 pounds 

 for the lighter sorts. Since he does his work by throwing weight 

 into the collar the heavier the horse, other things being equal, the 

 more efficient he will be. Along with weight he should possess 

 moderately heavy bone with quality, indicating sufficient strength 

 and substance to carry his body and not give the appearance of 

 being top heavy. His height should result from depth of body 

 rather than length of leg ; in fact as a rule the medium short legged 

 horses possess more endurance than those with long legs. He 

 should be broad of chest with a large girth and not cut up in the 

 flank. His legs should set well under his body, for if they are 

 otherwise and he is very broad he will likely be inclined to roll, 

 causing laborious action. The back and coupling should be short 

 and the loin broad and well muscled, this region being the connect- 

 ing link joining the propellers to the weight carriers. The hips 



