36 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



should be rounding and smooth; the croup, long and muscular; 

 the quarters, deep; the thighs, broad; the gaskins and cannons 

 relatively short. The head should be medium in size and neatly set 

 on a neck of good length with crest moderately heavy. (111. B. 122.) 



Action. The walk is the principal gait to be considered with 

 Draft horses since they are not often required to do their work at 

 a faster gait. The action should be straight, smooth, and regular; 

 the stride long and open, full of energy and ambition, making them 

 fast walkers, and enabling them to cover considerable ground in a 

 short time. The trot is important principally as an index to the 

 action and ease of deportment. An awkward horse or one that 

 is not a line mover, or has some defect in his gait usually shows it 

 more readily at the trot than at the walk. 



Demand. Draft horses are used by wholesale mercantile 

 houses, packers, brewers, coal dealers, contractors, lumbermen, and 

 firms having heavy teaming work. They are in demand in all 

 large cities, New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and Buffalo 

 being especially active in the trade. The supply is much short 

 of the demand, causing sharp competition and consequently 

 Drafters are bringing good prices on the open market. 



CHUNKS. 



Usage has fixed the name of this class, which is significant of 

 the conformation of the horse rather than the use to which he is 

 put. However, the prefix given in the sub-class is rather indicative 

 of his use. Chunks are divided into three sub-classes, Eastern or 

 Export, Farm and Southern. At one time this class was known 

 as Boston Chunks, but as the trade has widened to other cities and 

 some exported, they are known by the general name of Eastern or 

 Export Chunks. They are most generally used in pairs or three 

 abreast to do the same work as Draft horses; but may be used in 

 pairs, in a four-in-hand or six-in-hand team. 



Conformation, Height and Weight. The Eastern or Export 

 Chunk is for the most part much the same type of a horse in con- 

 formation as the drafter with the exception of size, he being a little 

 more blocky and compact. He stands from 15 to 16 hands high, 

 usually not over 15-3, and weighs from 1300 to 1550 pounds, de- 

 pending upon size and condition. His neck is often short, a little 

 shorter than that of a Drafter, and his bone a little lighter, though 

 this is not a requisite. 



Action. Being required to do their work mostly at the walk 

 their action should be similar to that of a draft horse. The walk 

 should be elastic, quick, balanced, straight, step long, trot regular 

 and high without winging, rolling, interfering, or forging. 



Demand. As the name implies Eastern or Export Chunks are 

 bought for the trade of eastern cities and for export. The demand 

 is strongest during March, April, and May ; but they usually bring 

 good prices through the fall and winter months, from October on. 

 There is a good demand for those that grade as good and 

 choice, but, as a rule there are enough of this class of horses in the 

 general supply found on the market to meet the demand. 



